UK government denies rift with Mauritian PM over Chagos Island deal
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Downing Street says ‘details’ being discussed after newly elected Navinchandra Ramgoolam criticised the agreement. Downing Street has denied that a deal with Mauritius to hand over control of the Chagos Islands is in peril after the island’s new prime minister said the arrangement as it stands is not beneficial to his country.
The agreement, under which the UK would hand over its final African colony while keeping control of the UK-US military base on the island of Diego Garcia for at least 99 years, was reached in October with the previous Mauritian administration. But Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who returned as prime minister for a third term after a general election in November, subsequently ordered a review of the deal signed by his predecessor, Pravind Jugnauth.
Speaking to his country’s parliament on Tuesday, Ramgoolam said a meeting with UK officials last week had involved Mauritius seeking better terms. “Mauritius made clear that, while it is still willing to conclude an agreement with the United Kingdom, the draft agreement which was shown to us after the general elections is one which, in our view, would not produce the benefits that the nation could expect from such an agreement,” he said.
“Therefore, Mauritius accordingly submitted counter-proposals to the UK so that an agreement which is in the best interest of Mauritius can be concluded. The response of the United Kingdom to our counter-proposals was received yesterday afternoon and is now being currently considered.”.
