Starmer Urges Trump to Avert Tensions Over Chagos Islands Deal
Keir Starmer seeks to persuade Donald Trump against rejecting Mauritius’s claim to the Chagos Islands, fearing such a move may heighten tensions similar to those in the South China Sea. The UK plans to pay for a 99-year lease on the islands while addressing strategic security concerns and potential Chinese influence in the region.
Keir Starmer will advocate to Donald Trump that rejecting Mauritius’s legal claim over the Chagos Islands, which includes the crucial US military base at Diego Garcia, could escalate tensions reminiscent of those in the South China Sea. Starmer’s upcoming meeting with Trump will primarily address the situation in Ukraine as well as plans for Gaza’s reconstruction, with a framework allowing Palestinians to remain in Gaza without displacement.
In addition to these discussions, Starmer’s delegation will highlight the UK-Mauritius agreement regarding a 99-year lease for the Chagos Islands. This arrangement is significant as the islands represent Britain’s last African colony, with the UK emphasizing that the deal stems from security considerations rather than adherence to international law principles.
The lease agreement has received its share of criticism, with concerns arising over transferring control to Mauritius while retaining UK sovereignty for an extended period. An interim deal was established last year, but recent calls for renegotiation from Mauritius’s Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam, complicate matters for Starmer’s administration, which is facing pressure from conservative UK factions opposing the deal.
With a US decision expected shortly, the UK is aware of the new Trump administration’s right to reassess the lease’s implications. There is hope that Pentagon officials who previously supported the deal will continue to advise favorably to the current defense secretary, Peter Hegseth. The UK contends that establishing a deal now will facilitate the maintenance of the Diego Garcia lease amid complex geopolitical considerations.
Failure to secure this deal raises the risk that China could exploit the islands’ legal status to develop military facilities, similar to ongoing tensions in the South China Sea. The UK government has stated, “The legal and security advice is very clear that the operation of the base will be at risk if there is not a deal,” underlining the importance of a timely agreement for security in the Indian Ocean.
Although specifics on the financial implications for the British taxpayer have not been fully disclosed, UK officials have disputed the commonly cited figure of £18 billion as being incorrect, explaining that the lease’s financial structure is front-loaded and indexed for inflation. Historical context highlights that the US established its base on the islands following the displacement of indigenous Chagossians, and UK officials dismiss claims of extensive Mauritian ties to China, asserting strong Indian influence in the region.
In summary, Keir Starmer aims to influence US President Donald Trump’s decision regarding the Chagos Islands’ lease to Mauritius. The UK’s focus is on ensuring security in the Indian Ocean to prevent potential Chinese military expansion while managing domestic criticism of the agreement. The outcome of the discussions may have significant implications for international relations and regional stability.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
