The UK government has said that it will not finalise a deal to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius until the incoming <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/us-capitol-rioter-says-will-refuse-a-pardon-from-felon-us-president-elect-donald-trump-8624749">US President-elect Donald Trump</a> administration has had an opportunity to review the future of the joint military base located there.&nbsp;
Ministers had initially aimed to reach an agreement with Mauritius before Donald Trump&rsquo;s inauguration on Jan 20. However, when questioned about reports that Mauritius is seeking further talks, a spokesperson for Keir Starmer said, &ldquo;We will only agree to a deal that is in the UK&rsquo;s best interests and protect our national security. It is obviously now right that the new US administration has the chance to consider this and discuss this once they are in office &hellip; It&rsquo;s perfectly reasonable for the new US administration to have a chance to consider the detail.&rdquo;
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The spokesperson denied claims that Trump would have a &ldquo;veto&rdquo; over the agreement.&nbsp;
As per the reports that the Mauritian government recently held a special cabinet meeting to deliberate on the proposals. Rather than finalising the deal, Mauritius has sent a delegation back to London to negotiate further.
The UK is planning to return its last African colony to Mauritius but intends to lease back the Diego Garcia base, which is used by the United States, for a reported &pound;90 million per year over a 99-year period.&nbsp;
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The proposal has faced criticism from both UK politicians and the incoming US Secretary of State, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-removes-cuba-from-list-of-state-sponsors-of-terrorism-in-one-of-his-last-moves-in-office-8622466">Marco Rubio</a>, who described the deal as a &ldquo;serious threat&rdquo; to American security, citing Mauritius&rsquo;s ties with China. Donald Trump has not commented publicly on the matter.
Keir Starmer defended the negotiations earlier, saying, &ldquo;We inherited a situation where the long-term operation of a critical military base was under threat due to legal challenges. The previous government initiated these negotiations. The then Foreign Secretary outlined to this house the purpose of the talks, which was to &lsquo;ensure the continued effective operation of the base&rsquo;. That is exactly what this agreement achieves.&rdquo;
(With inputs from agencies)

World: The UK is planning to return its last African colony to Mauritius but intends to lease back the Diego Garcia base, which is used by the United States, for a reported £90 million per year over a 99-year period. 

The UK government has said that it will not finalise a deal to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius until the incoming US President-elect Donald Trump administration has had an opportunity to review the future of the joint military base located there. Ministers had initially aimed to reach an agreement with Mauritius before Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan 20. However, when questioned about reports that Mauritius is seeking further talks, a spokesperson for Keir Starmer said, “We will only agree to a deal that is in the UK’s best interests and protect our national security. It is obviously now right that the new US administration has the chance to consider this and discuss this once they are in office … It’s perfectly reasonable for the new US administration to have a chance to consider the detail.” Also read: Israel, Hamas reach Gaza ceasefire deal; Trump announces, 'hostages to be released soon' The spokesperson denied claims that Trump would have a “veto” over the agreement. As per the reports that the Mauritian government recently held a special cabinet meeting to deliberate on the proposals. Rather than finalising the deal, Mauritius has sent a delegation back to London to negotiate further. The UK is planning to return its last African colony to Mauritius but intends to lease back the Diego Garcia base, which is used by the United States, for a reported £90 million per year over a 99-year period. Also read: Indian apex court deliberates on making colour-coded stickers mandatory for vehicles The proposal has faced criticism from both UK politicians and the incoming US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who described the deal as a “serious threat” to American security, citing Mauritius’s ties with China. Donald Trump has not commented publicly on the matter. Keir Starmer defended the negotiations earlier, saying, “We inherited a situation where the long-term operation of a critical military base was under threat due to legal challenges. The previous government initiated these negotiations. The then Foreign Secretary outlined to this house the purpose of the talks, which was to ‘ensure the continued effective operation of the base’. That is exactly what this agreement achieves.” (With inputs from agencies)

UK delays Chagos Islands deal until Trump administration 'considers' future of Diego Garcia base

The UK government is set to initiate talks with the incoming US administration of Donald Trump in a bid to keep the Chagos Islands agreement in place, the Guardian reported Tuesday (Nov. 26). The UK, under the administration of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, had decided in October to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after over two centuries of control. The move allowed hundreds of displaced islanders to return to their homeland.

But the victory of Donald Trump has now triggered concerns in London&nbsp;over the prospects of the US pulling out the deal with the Indian Ocean country unilaterally. It is because Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of state, had criticised the deal in October, saying it puts American national security at risk given the presence of a joint military base of the UK and US on the territory.

Guardian has reported that Jonathan Powell, the man who negotiated the deal this autumn, is planning to travel to Washington DC, in the coming days to hold discussions with the Trump team.

Earlier, Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, claimed this month that the Trump team saw this deal with “outright hostility.”

“Diego Garcia was described to me by a senior Trump adviser as the most important island on the planet as far as America was concerned,” Farage said in the UK Parliament.

Powell, UK National Security Adviser, also travelled to Mauritius earlier this week to hold discussions with the new government.

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His potential talks with the Trump team would focus on ensuring the US administration that the handover deal does not threaten US security. It is because some in the US believe that the government in Mauritius is a close partner to China, a rival nation.

The previous government of Conservatives had held 11 rounds of discussions with the Mauritius government.

Watch:&nbsp;Chagos Deal In Doubt After Trump Victory?

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India also played a quiet yet key role in facilitating the agreement between the UK and Mauritius, having always supported the claim of Mauritius to the island, which includes Diego Garcia.

India welcomed the deal, calling it a part of decolonisation even as the UK said it would continue to have the right to use the base in Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago. New Delhi said it was a positive outcome for all the parties and a move that will enhance long-term security in the Indian Ocean.

(With inputs from agencies)

The UK government is set to initiate talks with the incoming US administration of Donald Trump in a bid to keep the Chagos Islands agreement in place, the Guardian reported Tuesday (Nov.

The UK government is set to initiate talks with the incoming US administration of Donald Trump in a bid to keep the Chagos Islands agreement in place, the Guardian reported Tuesday (Nov. 26). The UK, under the administration of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, had decided in October to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after over two centuries of control. The move allowed hundreds of displaced islanders to return to their homeland. But the victory of Donald Trump has now triggered concerns in London over the prospects of the US pulling out the deal with the Indian Ocean country unilaterally. It is because Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of state, had criticised the deal in October, saying it puts American national security at risk given the presence of a joint military base of the UK and US on the territory. Guardian has reported that Jonathan Powell, the man who negotiated the deal this autumn, is planning to travel to Washington DC, in the coming days to hold discussions with the Trump team. Earlier, Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, claimed this month that the Trump team saw this deal with “outright hostility.” “Diego Garcia was described to me by a senior Trump adviser as the most important island on the planet as far as America was concerned,” Farage said in the UK Parliament. Powell, UK National Security Adviser, also travelled to Mauritius earlier this week to hold discussions with the new government. Also read: UK-Mauritius Chagos archipelago agreement: India played quiet but crucial role in deal, says report His potential talks with the Trump team would focus on ensuring the US administration that the handover deal does not threaten US security. It is because some in the US believe that the government in Mauritius is a close partner to China, a rival nation. The previous government of Conservatives had held 11 rounds of discussions with the Mauritius government. Watch: Chagos Deal In Doubt After Trump Victory? × India also played a quiet yet key role in facilitating the agreement between the UK and Mauritius, having always supported the claim of Mauritius to the island, which includes Diego Garcia. India welcomed the deal, calling it a part of decolonisation even as the UK said it would continue to have the right to use the base in Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago. New Delhi said it was a positive outcome for all the parties and a move that will enhance long-term security in the Indian Ocean. (With inputs from agencies)

Will Trump rip up Chagos Islands agreement? UK rushes to initiate talks with incoming cabinet

The United Kingdom announced on Thursday (October 3) that it will hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, paving the way for displaced islanders to return, while maintaining its right to use the military base on Diego Garcia, which it operates in partnership with the United States.

The UK said that this agreement safeguards the operation of Diego Garcia, a key military base, and enables Mauritius to resettle the rest of the islands, whose population was displaced many years ago.

“This government inherited a situation where the long-term, secure operation of the Diego Garcia military base was under threat, with contested sovereignty and ongoing legal challenges,” said UK Foreign Minister David Lammy in a statement.

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“Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future. It will strengthen our role in safeguarding global security, shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK, as well as guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius,” he added.

Mauritius hailed the agreement with Britain, calling it "historic" and marking a significant milestone in the relationship between the two nations.

"3rd October 2024. A day to remember. A day to commemorate full sovereignty of the Republic of Mauritius over the entirety of its territory," said Foreign Minister Maneesh Gobin on X (formerly Twitter).

US President Joe Biden also praised the agreement on Thursday, calling it a "historic settlement" that resolved the long-standing sovereignty dispute between the UK and Mauritius over the Chagos Islands.

“It is a clear demonstration that through diplomacy and partnership, countries can overcome long-standing historical challenges to reach peaceful and mutually beneficial outcomes,” Biden remarked in a statement from the White House.

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The UK has held control of the region since 1814. In 1965, it separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius, which gained independence in 1968, creating the British Indian Ocean Territory.

In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that the UK should relinquish control of the islands and highlighted that the population had been wrongfully expelled in the 1970s to accommodate a US military base.

Britain and Mauritius issued a joint statement, acknowledging the backing of both the US and India for this political settlement.

“The treaty will open a new chapter in our shared history,” the statement noted, adding that it signals a new era of cooperation in areas such as the economy, security, and the environment.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United Kingdom announced on Thursday (October 3) that it will hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, paving the way for displaced islanders to return, while maintaining its right to use the military base on Diego Garcia, which it operates in partnership with the United States.

The United Kingdom announced on Thursday (October 3) that it will hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, paving the way for displaced islanders to return, while maintaining its right to use the military base on Diego Garcia, which it operates in partnership with the United States. The UK said that this agreement safeguards the operation of Diego Garcia, a key military base, and enables Mauritius to resettle the rest of the islands, whose population was displaced many years ago. “This government inherited a situation where the long-term, secure operation of the Diego Garcia military base was under threat, with contested sovereignty and ongoing legal challenges,” said UK Foreign Minister David Lammy in a statement. Also read: Hamas de facto PM Rawhi Mushtaha killed in Gaza airstrike months ago: IDF “Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future. It will strengthen our role in safeguarding global security, shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK, as well as guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius,” he added. Mauritius hailed the agreement with Britain, calling it "historic" and marking a significant milestone in the relationship between the two nations. "3rd October 2024. A day to remember. A day to commemorate full sovereignty of the Republic of Mauritius over the entirety of its territory," said Foreign Minister Maneesh Gobin on X (formerly Twitter). US President Joe Biden also praised the agreement on Thursday, calling it a "historic settlement" that resolved the long-standing sovereignty dispute between the UK and Mauritius over the Chagos Islands. “It is a clear demonstration that through diplomacy and partnership, countries can overcome long-standing historical challenges to reach peaceful and mutually beneficial outcomes,” Biden remarked in a statement from the White House. Also read: Trump won in 2016 despite losing popular vote: Here's how US elections work The UK has held control of the region since 1814. In 1965, it separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius, which gained independence in 1968, creating the British Indian Ocean Territory. In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that the UK should relinquish control of the islands and highlighted that the population had been wrongfully expelled in the 1970s to accommodate a US military base. Britain and Mauritius issued a joint statement, acknowledging the backing of both the US and India for this political settlement. “The treaty will open a new chapter in our shared history,” the statement noted, adding that it signals a new era of cooperation in areas such as the economy, security, and the environment. (With inputs from agencies)

'Historic': UK transfers sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius