UK Defends Controversial Chagos Islands Deal Amid Tax Cut Plans

LONDON, England — UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended a £3.4 billion agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while maintaining control over a crucial military base on Diego Garcia. The controversial deal has attracted significant criticism, particularly from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who labeled it a “terrible” arrangement during prime minister’s questions.

Badenoch questioned the rationale behind using British taxpayer money to fund tax initiatives in Mauritius, where Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam recently announced plans to exempt 80% of the workforce from income tax. The deal’s funds are set to be allocated for debt repayments, estimated to help Mauritius reduce its public sector debt from 90% to 60% of GDP.

Starmer stated that the agreement was essential for maintaining the UK’s strategic intelligence and military capabilities on Diego Garcia. He insisted that without this deal, the UK would face significant legal uncertainties concerning the base, which has been crucial for military operations and allied cooperation.

Badenoch countered by arguing that national security was not linked to the deal’s terms, emphasizing prior security briefings that raised doubts about its effectiveness. The negotiations to transition the Chagos Islands began under the previous Conservative government, and now, according to the Labour-led agreement, the UK will lease the base for 99 years with progressive pay adjustments, starting from £165 million yearly.

Despite Sir Keir’s assurances, experts have expressed concerns about the deal’s implications for the Chagossian people’s rights. A UN Human Rights Council panel called for renegotiation, arguing the arrangement does not sufficiently guarantee the return rights of the displaced Chagossian community. Philippe Sands KC, representing Mauritius, suggested that most of the Chagossian population living in Mauritius and Seychelles supported the deal.

He also acknowledged the unresolved bitterness among Chagossians in the UK, emphasizing the need for consideration of their feelings regarding the agreement. Following a 2019 International Court of Justice opinion urging the return of the islands to Mauritius, the current administration has faced pressure to ensure the deal aligns with global human rights standards.

The UK’s Foreign Office has welcomed the agreement, citing its approval from international organizations. However, opposition figures including Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel have introduced a bill in Parliament to block the deal, arguing it undermines national security and neglects the rights of British Chagossians.

As Parliament debates the terms of the agreement, the controversy surrounding the Chagos Islands continues to unfold, with further developments expected in the coming weeks.