Donald Trump has formally signed off the proposed deal between the UK and Mauritius over the future of the Chagos Islands, Downing Street has said.
Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson announced on Tuesday that “it’s now between us and the Mauritian government to finalise the deal following the discussions with the US”.
The pact will see the UK hand sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius in exchange for leasing back Diego Garcia, the largest atoll in the Indian Ocean archipelago, for an initial period of 99 years, with an option to extend it for another 40 years.
The UK government handed the US administration a veto in effect over the draft agreement, given its security implications for a crucial joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
Senior Republicans had heaped criticism on the draft deal, warning it could boost China’s interests in the region. Starmer has also faced fierce political opposition to the deal in the UK, including from the Conservatives — who began the talks — and Reform UK.
But in a boost for Starmer, Trump signalled when the pair met at the Oval Office in February that he was inclined to throw his support behind the plan.
“I have to see the details, but it doesn’t seem bad . . . I think we will be inclined to go along with your country,” Trump said as he sat beside Starmer in the Oval Office.
People familiar with the negotiations said on Tuesday that they did not believe the agreement needed any further approvals from Washington to proceed.
Downing Street did not provide a timeline for the finalisation and ratification of a treaty between London and Port Louis.
Britain first launched formal negotiations with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands, also known as the British Indian Overseas Territory, in 2022 following years of rancour over the archipelago.
The move came after an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice found the UK should end its sovereignty of the islands as soon as possible. Britain had also haemorrhaged support over the issue at the UN.
