The UK has effectively doubled its financial offer to Mauritius over the Chagos Islands deal, with payments now frontloaded and linked to inflation, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer pushes ahead with the controversial handover that awaits Donald Trump’s approval.
Enhanced terms would significantly increase the original £9billion package and lease back Diego Garcia, home to a vital military base, for 99 years.
The new agreement frontloads payments from the original package and links them to inflation, while removing a clause that would have allowed Britain to unilaterally extend the lease by 40 years.
Mauritius will gain “complete sovereignty” of Diego Garcia under the arrangement. The new agreement frontloads payments from the original package and links them to inflation, while removing a clause that would have allowed Britain to unilaterally extend the lease by 40 years.
Mauritius will gain “complete sovereignty” of Diego Garcia under the arrangement.
Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam told his national assembly that Starmer “intends to push ahead with the agreement” and expects a “speedy resolution” within weeks.
Speaking in Port Louis, Ramgoolam expressed confidence in Trump’s review, stating: “President Trump is not a wolf. Let him see if the agreement is good or not.”
UK officials hope to progress the deal after the Munich Security Conference on February 14-16, where Foreign Secretary David Lammy is expected to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Mauritius is reportedly pushing for the agreement to be signed on March 12, marking its independence anniversary from Britain.
A Downing Street spokesman said they had “no update” on the situation, maintaining that it was “absolutely right” for the new US administration to consider the agreement fully.
Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch blasted the deal on social media, stating: “Starmer’s foolish deal gets worse every minute. He is surrendering British territory and paying for the privilege.”
In an update on the financial offer, an FCDO spokesperson said late last night: “This reporting is incorrect. The figures being quoted are entirely inaccurate and misleading.
“There has been no change to the terms of extension in the treaty. The UK will only sign a deal that is in our national interest.”
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