Keir Starmer has called on Mauritius to ensure strong safeguards within the deal regarding the Chagos Islands to maintain the integrity of the UK-US military base. In a significant conversation with Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, Starmer emphasized the necessity of avoiding malign influences on the island chain. Concerns have arisen around the deal due to shifts in political power in the US under Donald Trump and responses from Mauritius regarding its relationship with China. This has prompted Ramgoolam to review the terms of the agreement, previously established with the Biden administration.
Starmer urged Mauritius to ensure the Chagos Islands deal protects the UK-US military base from malign influences, citing concerns from the US regarding the terms.
The leaders discussed the strong relationship between the UK and Mauritius and reiterated their commitment to securing a military base deal on Diego Garcia.
The deal to hand over the islands was agreed upon last year but is now under scrutiny due to changes in US and Mauritius governments.
Ramgoolam's review of the deal terms indicates growing concern about its value and the implications of Mauritius' alliance with China.
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