UK Announces Review of Agreement to Return Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius Due to US Opposition

London, September 23 (KUNA) -- Britain announced on Wednesday its decision to review the agreement to return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, which was announced last year amid strong public criticism from the U.S. administration. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) quoted British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting as saying that “London must intensify work with its American allies and with U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration, particularly to shape the agreement in a way that secures his support.” He added that the focus would now be on ensuring the long-term stability of the military base on Diego Garcia.

Last May, former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the return of the archipelago to Mauritius under an agreement that stipulates leasing the military base on Diego Garcia for 99 years, renewable for an additional 40 years, in exchange for £101 million ($134 million) annually. Starmer stated at the time that the United Kingdom would assume full defense responsibility for the security of the military base, noting that Mauritius would have full authority over resettlement programs for the islands of the archipelago, except for Diego Garcia.

The announcement sparked renewed displeasure from U.S. President Donald Trump, whose country uses the strategic military base under a bilateral agreement with Britain.

The Chagos Archipelago, comprising some 60 islands, the largest of which is Diego Garcia, was separated from Mauritius in 1965 when it was still a British colony. In the late 1960s, Britain invited the United States to establish a military base on Diego Garcia, before thousands of residents were forcibly displaced from the island. (End) M.R.N. / M.N.F.