Overview

• The UK has transferred sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius following international legal rulings, ending decades of British control.
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed the deal after a High Court injunction temporarily blocked the agreement but was later overturned by another judge.
• The treaty includes a 99-year lease for the Diego Garcia military base, a critical UK-US defense hub, at an annual cost of £101 million.
• The agreement has drawn criticism over concerns about potential Chinese influence in the region and the exclusion of Chagossian voices in negotiations.
• Parliamentary scrutiny of the deal is expected, while displaced Chagossians may pursue further legal challenges to protect their rights.