Sir Keir Starmer is facing renewed pressure to abandon the proposed Chagos Islands deal after Mauritius’s newly elected government rejected the terms agreed in October.
The controversial agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago has hit a significant obstacle, with Mauritius demanding the reopening of negotiations.
Downing Street insists the deal remains on track as it attempts to finalise the agreement before Donald Trump returns to the White House.
The development comes after both countries had previously stated their commitment to finalising the treaty “as quickly as possible” through a series of “productive conversations and exchanges”.
A Downing Street spokesperson insists the deal remains on track
PA/GEtty
This week, Mauritian leader Navinchandra Ramgoolam held discussions with outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is keen to finalise the agreement.
Speaking to MPs after the call, Ramgoolam said: “I made him understand that we do not agree with certain things contained in the agreement concluded on October 3 by the former Mauritian prime minister and informed him that we have made a counter-proposal.”
The new Mauritian administration has submitted its own suggestions to the UK, which has now responded with counter-proposals.
Ramgoolam stated the draft deal “would not produce the benefits that the nation could expect” and confirmed that negotiations had restarted.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Navinchandra Ramgoolam
Getty
Days earlier, Mauritius’s deputy prime minister Paul Berenger suggested his country was seeking increased financial compensation for the continued operation of the Anglo-American military base on Diego Garcia.
“This base existed on our land, on our territory… but not only it is [about] our sovereignty,” Berenger told constituents. “There are some things you can’t accept if you’re a true patriot. They are trying to make us sign and they are quibbling on a small amount.”
Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel criticised Labour’s handling of the situation, stating: “While Labour ministers refuse to answer straightforward questions in Parliament about the Chagos surrender, the Mauritian Government have let the cat out the bag.”
She added: “Starmer and [Foreign Secretary David] Lammy need to come to their senses and ditch the deal.”
Several Trump allies have warned against the deal
Getty
However, the UK Government maintains the agreement is still viable. A spokesman said: “We do not recognise these reports. The Mauritian prime minister has repeatedly been clear that he remains willing to conclude a deal.”
The spokesman added they were working to finalise the agreement, “which is in both sides’ shared interests.”
The deal’s future could hinge on timing, as president-elect Trump has not commented publicly but is widely expected to attempt to block it if not signed before his inauguration next month. Several of Trump’s allies have expressed concerns about US national security, citing Mauritius’s ties with China.
Ministers have argued the deal, including a 99-year lease on the Diego Garcia base, is necessary following an International Court of Justice ruling.
+ There are no comments
Add yours