UK to cede control of remote group of islands in Indian Ocean in 'historic' move

The UK is set to give up sovereignty of a remote group of islands in a 'historic' move.

Negotiations with Mauritius commenced last year over the Chagos Islands, also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, culminating in an arrangement that entrusts Mauritius with sovereignty. In return, the agreement will see the long-term future of a strategically important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands, secured.

Speaking today, the Foreign Office said the deal reinforces the undisputed and legal surety of the military outpost's status. The decision prompted President Joe Biden to laud the "historic" pact, emphasising its role in guaranteeing the uninterrupted functioning of the Diego Garcia station for generations ahead.

However, the consensus has spurred discontent among some Conservative Party figures, including former foreign secretary James Cleverly, who disparaged the administration as "weak", while Robert Jenrick condemned the move as a "surrender".

Chagossians were forced to leave the central Indian Ocean territory by 1973 to make way for the military base. The expulsions are regarded as one of the most shameful parts of Britain’s modern colonial history and Chagossians have spent decades fighting to return to the islands. The International Court of Justice labelled Britain’s governance of the area as "unlawful" and demanded its cessation.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said today: "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."

The Foreign Office announced that the arrangement is contingent on finalising a treaty and supporting legal instruments. It was emphasised that both sides are dedicated to concluding this as swiftly as possible.

Downing Street released a statement elaborating that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had a discussion with Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on Thursday morning. According to the spokesman: "The leaders began by welcoming the political agreement achieved today between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago after two years of negotiations.

"The Prime Minister reiterated the importance of reaching this deal to protect the continued operation of the UK/US military base on Diego Garcia. He underscored his steadfast duty to national and global security which underpinned the political agreement reached today."

There is an expectation for the agreement concerning the UK-US military presence on Diego Garcia to last for 99 years with an option for renewal.

The UK will pay a regular annual sum of money during the agreement and there will be funding to help benefit Chagossians.

A group of asylum seekers have been living on Diego Garcia since 2021 after they encountered difficulties while trying to travel by boat from Sri Lanka to Canada.

The British Indian Ocean Territory has been considering their claims for protection. Mauritius would be responsible for any future arrivals under the new agreement.

A joint statement from the UK and Mauritius governments said the treaty will “address wrongs of the past and demonstrate the commitment of both parties to support the welfare of Chagossians”.

They also said the agreement will “herald a new era of economic, security and environmental partnership between our two nations”, adding: “To enable this partnership the UK will provide a package of financial support to Mauritius. This will include an indexed annual payment for the duration of the agreement and the establishment of a transformational infrastructure partnership, underpinned by UK grant funding, to deliver strategic projects generating meaningful change for ordinary Mauritians and boosting economic development across the country.”

Conservative dismay at the decision

Conservative former minister Mr Jenrick said: “It’s taken three months for Starmer to surrender Britain’s strategic interests. This is a dangerous capitulation that will hand our territory to an ally of Beijing.”

Mr Cleverly wrote on social media: “Weak, weak, weak! Labour lied to get into office. Said they’d be whiter than white, said they wouldn’t put up taxes, said they’d stand up to the EU, said that they be patriotic. All lies!”

Fellow Tory leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat said: “This is a shameful retreat undermining our security and leaving our allies exposed.” He said the Foreign Office had “negotiated against Britain’s interest” and it is “disgraceful that these negotiations started under our watch”.

Andrew Rosindell, the Conservative MP for Romford, wrote on social media platform X: “This is a shameful betrayal by Labour. The right of self-determination of the Chagossian people has been disregarded. No territory of the Crown should be handed away without consent. The loyal people of all UK’s Overseas Territories will shudder at this announcement.”