A potential agreement to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius will safeguard the United States’ strategic military base on the Indian Ocean archipelago, Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam stated on Sunday.
Addressing concerns of geopolitical shifts, Ramgoolam dismissed claims that Mauritius might align with China, affirming the nation’s close ties with India. “There is a disinformation campaign in the United States claiming that we are close to China, which is completely untrue,” he told. He emphasized that former US President Donald Trump should recognize the deal secures the base at Diego Garcia.
Agreement Details
Mauritius and Britain reached an agreement in October 2024 to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, which the UK retained after Mauritius gained independence in the 1960s. The deal stipulates that the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island, would remain operational.
Diego Garcia serves as a key hub for US military operations, housing long-range bombers and naval vessels, notably during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The base was established after Britain leased the island to the US, displacing thousands of Chagos islanders—a move that has sparked ongoing legal battles for compensation.
Renegotiations and US Concerns
Ramgoolam’s administration, in office since November, has reopened negotiations, reportedly seeking increased financial compensation and adjustments to the proposed 99-year lease. The current agreement offers a £90 million ($110 million) annual payment.
The deal has drawn criticism from some US officials, including Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of state, who warned it posed “a serious threat” to national security.
The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stated it would consult the incoming US administration to ensure the deal aligns with US interests. A spokesperson added, “We will only agree to a deal that protects the UK’s national security.”
While pursuing the agreement, Mauritius has maintained its broader goal of achieving full sovereignty over the Chagos Islands. If the US fails to support the deal, Ramgoolam indicated that Mauritius would continue its fight for complete control of the territory.