Written by Lisa Murimi
Sir Keir Starmer is set to sign a historic agreement on Thursday transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands from the UK to Mauritius, ending decades of legal and diplomatic disputes.
The agreement, confirmed by No 10, will see Britain relinquish control of the British Indian Ocean Territory, while securing a 99-year lease for the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia—an installation deemed vital to Western security interests in the Indian Ocean.
The deal, reportedly worth several billion pounds, follows months of negotiations and political delays, including leadership changes in both Mauritius and the US.
Although former US President Donald Trump’s administration initially raised security concerns, Trump has since expressed support, easing the final steps.
Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam had previously voiced concerns, but ultimately agreed to move forward.
The signing ceremony will be held virtually, with the prime minister joining from London.
Foreign Office officials have also invited representatives of the Chagossian community—descendants of islanders forcibly displaced in the 1960s—to meet with Europe Minister Stephen Doughty to discuss future arrangements.
The Chagos Archipelago was controversially separated from Mauritius in 1965, three years before the country’s independence.
The UK’s continued sovereignty has faced growing international criticism, with UN bodies supporting Mauritian claims.
Labour maintains the deal safeguards UK and US security interests, while offering a path to reconciliation.
“We are working to sign a deal which will safeguard the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia, which is vital to our national security.”
“We’ve had to act, as the previous government started to do, to deal with that jeopardy, we’re completing those arrangements and we’ll report to the House when we can,” Defence Secretary John Healey said.
Following the signing, Parliament will be briefed on further details, including a potential 40-year lease extension.
