Negotiations between the governments of Mauritius and Britain regarding the return of Diego Garcia, an archipelago retained by Britain since independence, have reached a stalemate. This territory has been utilized by both Britain and its NATO ally, the United States, for military bases, from which numerous nuclear tests have been conducted over the years.
Mauritius is seeking not only appropriate reparations for the years of forced occupation but also the return of the island and the establishment of full sovereignty over the territory. In contrast, Britain is proposing a nominal compensation while aiming to secure a long-term lease for the continued operation of its NATO military bases on the island.
Efforts by London and Port Louis to negotiate a new treaty for the transfer of the Indian Ocean islands to Mauritius have been complicated by the collapse of a previous draft agreement, which occurred following the election of the new Mauritian Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam. The firm stance taken by the new government in Port Louis has provoked significant frustration among British officials, who had anticipated a smoother negotiation process with the African nation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing pressure to reconsider his position on the archipelago after the new Mauritian administration rejected a proposed agreement and began demanding increased financial compensation.
A former senior civil servant has indicated that Mauritius risks receiving nothing from Britain if it does not relent on its demand for £800 million annually for Diego Garcia. Sir Simon MacDonald, the former Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service, advised that Port Louis should temper its expectations, suggesting that it is “overplaying its hand” in the negotiations. He noted in a BBC interview that it is common for a new government to believe it can achieve better outcomes than its predecessor, reflecting the initial exchanges between London and Port Louis.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s concession regarding the Chagos Islands has raised concerns about the future of the joint US-UK military facility located on Diego Garcia. Downing Street has not disclosed the financial terms being negotiated for a 99-year lease to maintain the base, although a source informed the Sunday Times that Mauritius is seeking an exorbitant sum.
London and Port Louis are aiming to finalize an agreement before Donald Trump resumes his presidency on January 20. The Trump administration has expressed significant unease regarding Diego Garcia, a strategically vital site in the Indian Ocean that has been instrumental in projecting US influence in the Middle East and Asia.
Opponents of relinquishing sovereignty over the archipelago believe that Britain could leverage its position to retain control of Diego Garcia with the backing of the incoming American administration under Donald Trump. Reports indicate that Marco Rubio, the president-elect’s choice for secretary of state, has cautioned that the proposed deal could represent a “serious threat” to US national security by transferring the islands to a nation allied with China.
Recently, Mauritius’s new leader, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, engaged in a phone conversation with outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is also eager to see the agreement finalized.
Following the discussion, the Prime Minister informed his MPs: “I conveyed to him that we disagree with certain aspects of the agreement reached on October 3 by the previous Mauritian prime minister and indicated that we have submitted a counter-proposal that will be communicated to him.”
Mauritius’s Deputy Prime Minister, Paul Berenger, expressed to his constituents: “This base is situated on our land, on our territory… but it is not solely about our sovereignty. There are certain conditions that a true patriot cannot accept. They are attempting to compel us to sign while haggling over a trivial amount.”
In light of recent developments, Sir Simon MacDonald, the former Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, expressed his views by stating that Mr. Ramgoolam is new to his position and is not the only emerging factor; President Trump is also on the horizon. With only three weeks remaining until the inauguration, he cautioned that if Mr. Ramgoolam believes the situation will improve with a new president in the Oval Office, he will soon be disabused of that notion.
When questioned about the transfer of sovereignty, Sir Simon emphasized that the United Kingdom is committed to upholding the rule of law and is striving to adhere to a ruling issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ had determined that the UK acted unlawfully in detaching the Chagos Islands from Mauritius prior to its independence in 1968.
Sir Simon remarked, “We will not be coerced to the extent that the Mauritians are currently attempting. This military base holds significant importance, particularly for the United States, more so than for the United Kingdom.” He further noted that if an agreement is not reached, the issue may persist for many more years, ultimately resulting in Mauritius gaining nothing. He advised the Mauritians to “utilize the next three weeks effectively.”
He acknowledged that inaction remains a possibility; however, the UK requires consensus from more than one party to finalize a deal, and it is essential for Mauritius to show some flexibility.
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