LONDON DAILY ARCHIVE
Starmer to Address Chagos Islands Deal with Trump Amid Security Concerns
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to discuss the ongoing controversy over the Chagos Islands with former President Donald Trump, amid broader geopolitical considerations.
23 February 2025 · 08:26 UTC
The discussion comes at a critical juncture as the UK seeks to solidify its agreement with Mauritius concerning the islands, which includes the key US military base at Diego Garcia.
The Chagos Islands are subjected to a prolonged legal contention between Mauritius and the UK, as Mauritius asserts ownership based on historical claims.
Starmer is expected to emphasize to Trump that a rejection of Mauritius's legal claim could exacerbate tensions in the region, potentially mirroring the contentious dynamics witnessed in the South China Sea.
Under a recent agreement, the UK is set to pay Mauritius for a 99-year lease on the islands, a deal that acknowledges Britain’s historical governance of what has been termed its last African colony.
This arrangement has faced criticism domestically, with opponents arguing it undermines Mauritius's sovereignty, despite the UK's continued administrative control.
Starmer's team also plans to outline the security rationale behind the deal, asserting that the decision is based on strategic interests rather than compliance with international legal standards, which may not resonate well with the current US administration.
An interim agreement reached last year was built on negotiations initiated by the previous Conservative government, which had garnered the support of the outgoing Biden administration.
However, following the election of Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam in November, expectations of a renegotiation surfaced, complicating the situation.
Several UK Conservative figures have attempted to influence the Trump administration to dismiss the deal, which poses a challenge for Starmer’s government.
The UK acknowledges that the incoming Trump administration has the authority to reassess the implications of the lease for its military interests in the region.
UK officials are hopeful that the Pentagon, particularly those who previously supported the deal, will offer favorable advice to new Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth.
A US decision regarding the agreement is anticipated within weeks.
Should Trump reject the arrangement, it would significantly undermine the UK's position, potentially causing the government to retract its offer.
The UK government maintains that an international court of justice opinion delivered in 2019 — stating the islands belong to Mauritius — while advisory, could eventually carry binding weight, affecting maritime law interpretations and engagements by third-party nations on the islands.
The UK is promoting the argument that a swift resolution leading to a long-term lease would extricate the US military’s presence from fraught geopolitical dynamics.
Failure to secure an agreement may permit China to exploit the ambiguity surrounding the islands' status to establish strategic facilities, thus escalating security tensions akin to those in other contested areas of the Indian Ocean.
Current estimates concerning the financial implications of the lease for British taxpayers remain undisclosed, with government spokespeople contesting a reported £18 billion total, describing it as inaccurate.
The lease structure is reportedly designed to be responsive to inflation and comprises front-loaded payments.
The US established its military base on the Chagos Islands following the forced removal of native Chagossians in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
UK officials contend assertions of deepening Sino-Mauritian ties are exaggerated, arguing that India remains the predominant regional influencer.
Mauritius is noted for not participating in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, further coloring the strategic landscape.