The UK government has transferred sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a strategic move rooted in legal pressures and national security concerns. The operation of the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia is becoming increasingly threatened due to a series of legal rulings by international bodies asserting Mauritius's rightful claim to the islands. Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning of impending legal challenges that could jeopardize the base's operation, which is critical for UK security amidst global instability.
In a fast-moving world, suffused by conflict and political uncertainty, it might seem odd for the UK government to surrender sovereign British territory in a distant sea.
The government felt that without ceding sovereignty to Mauritius, the operation of the base would become unworkable and that would pose a greater threat to UK security.
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