Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged Mauritius to ensure the Chagos Islands deal protects the UK-US military base from 'malign influence', as concerns mount over the agreement's terms. Starmer spoke to Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam for the first time on Friday to discuss the deal, which was signed last year but has faced criticism from allies of US President Donald Trump.
The agreement would see the UK cede control of the final African colony while retaining the military base on Diego Garcia for at least 99 years. Downing Street said Starmer underlined the need for 'strong protections' for the base, including from malign influence, and both leaders reiterated their commitment to a deal.
The deal was originally agreed with Ramgoolam's predecessor, Pravind Jugnauth, and backed by the Biden administration. However, changes of government in both the US and Mauritius have put it at risk. Ramgoolam has ordered a review of the terms, arguing they do not represent value for the Mauritian people, while Trump's secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has warned the deal threatens US national security interests in the Indian Ocean.
British officials maintain the deal has US support, but Trump allies have criticised it, citing Mauritius' alliance with China. The UK has offered to front-load payments of £90 million a year for ongoing control of Diego Garcia to address Mauritian concerns.
