Chagos Islands treaty is now ‘impossible to agree at political level’, UK minister says

Why it matters

A treaty over ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has become “impossible to agree at political level” and the corresponding bill will not complete its passage through parliament, a Foreign Office minister has said.

Key takeaways

• He added: “The government nevertheless remains confident that the Diego Garcia treaty is the best means of protecting the full operation of the military base for future generations, for us and our allies.”
• The setback in the UK’s push to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, is a sign of the worsening US-UK relations after Trump’s heavy criticism of Keir Starmer over his stance on the Iran war.
• As part of the deal, the UK was to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, and lease the island of Diego Garcia, which is the site of a joint UK-US military base, for 99 years to continue operations.
• Doughtly said: “The delay to the treaty will be sad news to many Chagossians – although I accept not all – who rightly see it as the only viable means to a sustainable programme of resettlement, which Mauritius would be able to implement under its terms.”