UK signs deal to hand over Chagos Islands to Mauritius

Keir Starmer told a press conference on Thursday, as quoted by The Guardian that he had signed the deal and that it was “one of the most significant contributions that we make to our security relationship with the United States”.

Under the new agreement, Britain cedes control over the island to Mauritius.

However, the country also leases Diego Garcia, the largest island of the Chagos Archipelago, for 99 years.

The lease will allow the UK to continue operating a joint US-UK military base located on the island.

As per the UK government website, the base has played a vital role in defending the UK and its allies for over 50 years.

The base plays a key role in operations that support UK forces and our allies across the Middle East, East Africa and South Asia.

The UK government said its deep-water port, airfield, and advanced communications and surveillance capabilities give the UK and its allies crucial strategic capabilities, which have played a key role in missions to disrupt high-value terrorists, including Islamic State threats to the UK.

UK PM Kier Starmer Reacts On X

UK PM Keir Starmer reacted to the deal and wrote on X: "This base is vital for the safety and security of the British people and today’s agreement is the only way to protect our country for many years to come."

He said he will always work in the national interest.

UK Defence Secretary, John Healey, MP, said: "As the world becomes more dangerous, our military base on Diego Garcia becomes more important."

"Today’s Treaty secures full operational control, strengthens our UK-US defence partnership and keeps British people safe at home for the next 99 years and beyond," Healey said.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP said: "This treaty secures the Diego Garcia military base for generations to come, protecting national and global security."

The US, Australia, Canada and India all back this deal because they understand its importance for global security. This government has always been clear that we will act in the national interest, not gamble with our national security like those who oppose this deal," Lammy said.

Diego Garcia

Diego Garcia is the largest island of the Chagos Archipelago, located in the central Indian Ocean.

The joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia has a strategic location which makes it vital to UK and US power projection in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

The base provides a unique shared platform with irreplaceable security capabilities that enable a UK and US military presence across the Middle East, Indo-Pacific and Africa.

US Welcomes Deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the deal and called it 'historic'.

He wrote on X: "The U.S. welcomes the historic agreement between the UK and Mauritius on the future of the Chagos Archipelago. This agreement secures the long-term, stable, and effective operation of the joint U.S.-UK military facility at Diego Garcia, which is critical to regional and global security. We value both parties' dedication. The U.S. looks forward to our continued joint work to ensure the success of our shared operations."