The UK government has rejected claims from Mauritius’ Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam, that the renegotiated deal for the Chagos Islands could cost the UK billions more than initially expected. In October 2023, the UK agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, but retain control over Diego Garcia for military use under a 99-year lease. Ramgoolam has argued that the deal now includes inflation-linked payments and a front-loaded financial package, potentially increasing costs from £9 billion to £18 billion. The UK Foreign Office called these claims “inaccurate and misleading,” emphasizing the deal would only proceed if it served national interests.
Internal opposition within the UK government has also grown, with some officials questioning the financial outlay in times of austerity. There are concerns about US security interests as well, given China’s growing influence in the region and Mauritius’ increasing ties with Beijing. The UK awaits the US’s position on the deal, which is seen as crucial in shaping the negotiations.
Ramgoolam criticized the original deal as a “sell-out” for Mauritius, demanding an inflation-proof arrangement, though specifics remain unclear. He also disputed claims that the lease extension on Diego Garcia was unchanged, but the UK government denied this.
In the UK, opposition figures, including Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, have criticized the lack of transparency and called for full details to be presented in Parliament. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage warned that conceding sovereignty over the islands could damage the UK’s standing with the US.
The Chagos Islands, taken from Mauritius in 1965 to create the US military base, remain a source of dispute. While Mauritius has long claimed the islands as its own, the future remains uncertain, with divided views among the displaced Chagos Islanders and diplomatic pressures from multiple sides.
For more updates on the Chagos Islands dispute, stay tuned to London Pulse News.
