Mauritius has submitted changes to a proposed agreement on the future of the Chagos Islands, with newly elected Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam asserting that the original deal failed to adequately serve the nation’s interests.
The initial agreement, unveiled in October, outlined the transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago from the UK to Mauritius while allowing the UK to retain a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, a strategic military base jointly operated by the UK and the US.
The deal, finalized shortly before then-Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth suffered a significant electoral defeat, was hailed as a “seminal moment” by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Jugnauth, emphasizing a commitment to peaceful dispute resolution and the rule of law. The British government also framed it as critical to ensuring the continued secure operation of the military base.
However, Ramgoolam, who assumed office last month, expressed concerns about the agreement’s fairness. He tasked legal experts with reviewing the terms and confirmed on Tuesday that counter-proposals had been submitted to the UK to ensure the final deal better aligns with Mauritius’ national interests.
While Ramgoolam refrained from detailing the nature of the counter-proposals, he revealed that the UK’s response to these suggestions, received on Monday, is under review.
As part of ongoing negotiations, a high-level UK delegation led by Harriet Mathews, Director General for Africa, the Americas, and Overseas Territories at the Foreign Office, visited Mauritius last week. Mathews and British High Commissioner Charlotte Pierre met with Ramgoolam on December 11 to discuss the proposals and seek common ground.
The revisions mark a pivotal stage in the protracted talks, with both sides navigating complex legal and geopolitical considerations to finalize the future of the Chagos Islands.
