Keir Starmer is committed to a Chagos Islands deal with Mauritius, facing US security worries
London: Sir Keir Starmer is pushing for a deal with Mauritius about the Chagos Islands. This is despite concerns from the White House about national security.
Trump’s allies worry that giving up control of the islands could let Iran and China spy on US military operations.
Starmer is moving forward, even if it means going without US support. He spoke with Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and expressed his commitment to the deal.
During their call, Starmer emphasized the importance of the UK-Mauritius relationship. He wants to hand over the islands and the joint military base to Mauritius.
The plan includes leasing the base on Diego Garcia to Britain for 99 years. It’s expected to cost around £9 billion to maintain military presence there.
However, US security experts are concerned about Mauritius’ ties to Iran. They are looking into a potential university exchange and joint research with Iran.
There are also worries about China’s growing influence in Mauritius. China became the largest importer to the island nation after a free trade deal in 2021.
Starmer stressed the need for a deal to secure the military base during his conversation with Ramgoolam. He mentioned the importance of protecting against “malign influence.”
This comes after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concerns about China’s influence in the Indian Ocean. He warned that the deal could allow China to gather intelligence on US military operations.
Reports suggest Starmer tried to finalize the deal before Biden took office, but Downing Street denies this.
The UK government argues that an international court ruling supports Mauritius’ claim to the islands. They believe a treaty is necessary to keep the base operational.
Downing Street stated it’s important for the new US administration to review the deal carefully. They will only agree to terms that protect UK interests and national security.
The Chagos Islands have been a diplomatic issue for years. The UK kept control after Mauritius gained independence in 1968.
In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled against the UK’s claim to the islands. The UN General Assembly also called for the UK to return the territory to Mauritius.
Starmer had previously negotiated a deal to return the islands while keeping the military base until October 2024. However, changes in leadership in both Mauritius and the US have delayed progress.
Some UK political figures have criticized the plans. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage noted concerns within the US administration about the deal.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of secretly negotiating to give up British territory, which could burden UK taxpayers.
