Maldives tells the UK it will not recognise' Chagos Islands deal

"The president of the Maldives has told the UK he will not recognise Sir Keir Starmer's deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. This intervention could serve as a further blow to the prime minister's already beleaguered deal, which has been subject to relentless criticism from Donald Trump over the future of the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia."

"The plan will see the government cede sovereignty of the British territory after an advisory International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in 2019 backed Mauritian claims to sovereignty over the islands. But the Maldives is now threatening legal action as it seeks to assert its own sovereignty over the islands."

"In a statement to the BBC, President Mohamed Muizzu's office said he had raised concerns with both written objections and in a phone call with David Lammy, the then foreign secretary, last year. These diplomatic communications articulate the government's firm position."

"The decision by the British government to proceed in sole consultation with Mauritius without due consideration of Maldivian interests is deeply concerning."

The Maldives has stated it will not recognize the UK-Mauritius deal regarding the Chagos Islands, which has faced criticism from Donald Trump. The deal involves ceding sovereignty of the British territory following an ICJ ruling favoring Mauritius. President Mohamed Muizzu's office expressed concerns over the British government's lack of consultation with Maldivian interests. The Maldives is considering legal action to assert its claims over the islands, indicating a significant diplomatic dispute that could impact the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.

Read at www.independent.co.uk