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UK Delays Chagos Islands Sovereignty Deal Over Political Fallout

Concerns over a Labour MP rebellion tied to welfare cuts and the deal's financial cost have stalled the agreement with Mauritius.

Under the deal, Britain will cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius but lease back Diego Garcia, which is the site of a UK-US military base
As part of the deal, Britain will cede ownership of the islands to Mauritius
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Overview

  • The UK government has paused plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, citing fears of political backlash from Labour MPs over the deal's cost and concurrent welfare cuts.
  • The proposed agreement includes a 99-year leaseback of the Diego Garcia military base, a critical UK-US strategic asset in the Indian Ocean.
  • The deal's estimated cost of £90 million annually, adjusted for inflation, has drawn criticism, with Labour backbenchers warning of a potential rebellion during next month's welfare reform vote.
  • Security concerns have been raised regarding Mauritius's growing relationship with China, with critics warning of potential risks to UK-US military operations at Diego Garcia.
  • The UK is legally obligated to cede the islands under a 2019 International Court of Justice ruling, but the timeline for finalizing the deal remains uncertain.