US President Donald Trump officially approved the proposed bargain between the UK and Mauritius over the future of the Chagos Islands, clearing a big hurdle for the transfer of sovereignty.
Downing Street confirmed on Tuesday that the partnership is now in its final stages, with Britain and Mauritius set to discuss the remaining information before signing a agreement.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said,” We are now working with the Mauritian government to finalise the deal and sign the treaty”, as quoted by The Independent.
The move follows decades of debate with the US, which had an efficient reject over the contract due to the strategic value of Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Indian Ocean place.
The deal will see Britain lose independence over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing up Diego Garcia for an original 99-year time, with an opportunity to extend for another 40 times. The bottom, a crucial UK-US military advantage, has played a vital role in safety operations, including terrorism missions and local surveillance.
Trump had first been wary of the program, but when he met Starmer at the White House in February, he signalled his help. ” I have a sense it is going to work out quite well”, he said at the moment. ” I think we will be inclined to go along with your state”.
Today, his proper sign-off is expected to give the offer a better way to execution.
However, the contract has faced condemnation from many sides. Senior Republicans in the US warned that transferring the islands ‘ independence may develop China’s influence in the region. At house, Starmer has come under fire from both the Conservatives, who first launched the conversations in 2022, and Reform UK, who argue that Britain is giving up a strategically important province unnecessarily.
As per The Independent, critics have also raised concerns about the cost of the deal, which could reach as much as £18 billion. Some question why the UK is paying to lease back an airbase it already controls. Meanwhile, The Financial Times reported that UK officials reassured Washington that the agreement would not come at any expense to US taxpayers.
Downing Street has not provided a timeline for the treaty’s finalisation, but sources close to the negotiations believe no further approvals are needed from Washington. The deal stems from an International Court of Justice ruling that Britain should end its sovereignty over the islands.
