Trump Could Derail Controversial Chagos Islands Transfer to Mauritius
- Sir Keir Starmer's plan involves handing over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, including a 99-year lease on the US airbase.
- Trump's allies express concerns over potential intelligence risks posed by a Mauritius government friendly to China.
- The deal has sparked significant political debate, with opposition arguing it undermines UK defense interests.
In the wake of Sir Keir Starmer's plan to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, concerns have arisen about potential implications for US-China relations. The deal includes a long-term lease of the US airbase on Diego Garcia, strategically located in the Indian Ocean. Allies of Donald Trump warn that granting control to a China-friendly administration in Mauritius may jeopardize American military interests and provide China with intelligence opportunities. Lawmakers are now urging caution, implying that the decision, which was strongly encouraged by the Biden administration, represents a capitulation to international pressures. As negotiations began in 2022, Tories opposed the deal, warning it undermines UK defense, while the Labour government contends it is a necessary legal compliance following a 2019 ruling. The overall sentiment points to a significant shift in geopolitical dynamics that could alter the United Kingdom's defense strategy in relation to both China and the US.