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Donald Trump has formally signed off the proposed deal between the UK and Mauritius over the way forward for the Chagos Islands, Downing Avenue has stated.
Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson introduced on Tuesday that “it’s now between us and the Mauritian authorities to finalise the deal following the discussions with the US”.
The pact will result in the UK handing sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius in alternate for leasing again Diego Garcia, the most important atoll within the Indian Ocean archipelago, for an preliminary interval of 99 years, with an possibility to increase it for an additional 40 years.
The UK authorities handed the US administration a veto in impact over the draft settlement, given its safety implications for a joint UK-US navy base on Diego Garcia.
Senior Republicans had heaped criticism on the draft deal, warning it might enhance China’s pursuits within the area. Starmer has additionally confronted fierce political opposition within the UK, together with from the Conservatives — who started the talks — and Reform UK.
However in a lift for Starmer, Trump signalled when the pair met on the Oval Workplace in February that he was inclined to throw his help behind the plan.
“I’ve to see the main points, but it surely doesn’t appear dangerous . . . I believe we have a tendency to go together with your nation,” Trump stated as he sat beside Starmer within the Oval Workplace.
Folks aware of the negotiations stated on Tuesday that they didn’t imagine the settlement wanted any additional approvals from Washington to proceed.
The US state division stated: “We stay in shut contact with the governments of the UK and Mauritius on the standing of their settlement on the Chagos Archipelago. We don’t touch upon personal diplomatic discussions.”
Downing Avenue didn’t present 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 referred to as the British Indian Ocean Territory, in 2022 following years of rancour.
The transfer got here after an advisory opinion issued by the Worldwide Court docket of Justice discovered the UK ought to finish its sovereignty as quickly as doable. Britain had additionally misplaced help over the problem on the UN.
A change of administration in Mauritius final autumn additional difficult the talks, which had been led on the British facet by Jonathan Powell, who has since been promoted to UK nationwide safety adviser.
Whereas Starmer had secured an settlement with the earlier Mauritian prime minister, his successor Navin Ramgoolam — who took energy in a landslide election final November — reopened the negotiations demanding extra beneficial phrases.
The UK authorities, which has not publicly confirmed particulars of the deal, is predicted to pay about £90mn a yr to lease Diego Garcia, however has provided to frontload the primary tranche of funds.
Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch has argued it’s not within the UK’s curiosity to “give away” the territory or “pay for the privilege of doing so”.
Stephen Doughty, UK minister for abroad territories, was requested within the Home of Commons on Tuesday which authorities division would fund the settlement, however declined to verify.
