Sir Keir Starmer has given up the Chagos Islands, handing the Indian Ocean territory to Mauritius.
The islands were British-owned from 1814 but have now been signed away by the Government in a deal that it claimed would safeguard global security by ending a long-running dispute.
The islands include Diego Garcia, which hosts a strategically important US-UK military base.
A joint statement by the Prime Minister and Pravind Jugnauth, his Mauritian counterpart, said: “Under the terms of this treaty the United Kingdom will agree that Mauritius is sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.”
David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, said in a statement on Thursday that the agreement would still secure the “vital” military base for future use.
He said: “This government inherited a situation where the long-term, secure operation of the Diego Garcia military base was under threat, with contested sovereignty and ongoing legal challenges.
“Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future.
JonDowd762 on October 3rd, 2024 at 17:43 UTC »
The article does not have quotes or feedback from Chagossians. I'm curious as to their view on this agreement, negotiated by others for their presumed benefit.
Papoutsomenos19 on October 3rd, 2024 at 13:30 UTC »
Mauritius' closest allies are India and France, which reflects the fact that the majority of Mauritians are of Indian origin, and that there's also an influential white community of mostly French descent. And it's a democracy. Also Mauritius is somewhat rich for an African country and lacks the anti-Western instincts of countries like ANC-ruled South Africa.
Mark my words,. The true meaning of this agreement is about tying this small yet strategically important nation to the emerging anti-Chinese coalition in the Indian Ocean.
TheTelegraph on October 3rd, 2024 at 10:42 UTC »
The Telegraph reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has given up the Chagos Islands, handing the Indian Ocean territory to Mauritius.
The islands were British-owned from 1814 but have now been signed away by the Government in a deal that it claimed would safeguard global security by ending a long-running dispute.
They include Diego Garcia, which hosts a strategically important US-UK military base.
A joint statement by the British Prime Minister and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth said: “Under the terms of this treaty the United Kingdom will agree that Mauritius is sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.”
David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, said in a statement on Thursday that the agreement would still secure the “vital” military base for future use.
He said: “This government inherited a situation where the long-term, secure operation of the Diego Garcia military base was under threat, with contested sovereignty and ongoing legal challenges.
“Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future.
“It will strengthen our role in safeguarding global security, shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK, as well as guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius, a close Commonwealth partner.”
Grant Shapps, a former defence secretary, said: “This is absolutely appalling.
“Surrendering sovereignty here creates read-across to other British bases. It’s a weak and deeply regrettable act from this government.”
Read more: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/03/starmer-chagos-islands-sovereignty/