Future of Diego Garcia military base should be considered before handover to Mauritius signed off, No 10 saysUK politics live – latest updatesThe UK government will not sign off a deal to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius until Donald Trump’s administration has had a chance to consider the future of the joint military base, Downing Street has confirmed.Allies of the US president-elect have been critical of the deal because of the implications for the strategically important Diego Garcia base, with concerns that it could bolster Chinese interests in the Indian Ocean. Continue reading...
The UK government is delaying a deal to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius until the incoming Trump administration can weigh in on the future of the Diego Garcia military base, which the US uses.
This delay stems from US concerns that the deal could strengthen China's influence in the Indian Ocean region, and allies of Trump have voiced opposition.
The UK aims to hand over the islands while retaining a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia. The government asserts that an agreement is necessary to protect the continued operation of the base, citing international court rulings in favour of Mauritian sovereignty.
The UK government is delaying a deal to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius until the incoming Trump administration can weigh in on the future of the Diego Garcia military base, which the US uses. This delay stems from US concerns that the deal could strengthen China's influence in the Indian Ocean region, and allies of Trump have voiced opposition. The UK aims to hand over the islands while retaining a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia. The government asserts that an agreement is necessary to protect the continued operation of the base, citing international court rulings in favour of Mauritian sovereignty.
