UK begins review of Chagos agreement despite opposition from Maldives

The United Kingdom has initiated a formal review of the agreement concerning the transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, something which has been disputed Maldives.

UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting stated that the reconsideration of the pact follows substantial criticism from United States President Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly. In an interview with the BBC, Streeting noted that the absence of US backing has necessitated a reassessment of the accord.

During discussions with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump reportedly characterized the agreement as a "terrible deal". Following Trump's appeal for the UK to reconsider its stance, Burnham agreed to it.

Burnham subsequently told reporters that he has “inherited the situation” which requires definitive resolution. Prior to his arrival in New York, Burnham had spoken with Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, during which he reaffirmed his commitment “to continue doing everything possible" along with the US to ratify the deal.

Under the framework established in May of last year by the preceding administration of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the UK would relinquish sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius while retaining a 99-year lease on the Diego Garcia military installation. Official figures indicate an average annual disbursement of 101 million pounds (USD 136 million) to Mauritius, amounting to approximately 3.4 billion pounds over the duration of the lease.

Conversely, detractors of the Starmer administration contend that, when adjusted for inflation, the actual expenditure could escalate to 35 billion pounds and cautioned that the arrangement might inadvertently expand Chinese strategic influence in the region. Mauritius has long maintained that it was unlawfully compelled to relinquish the Chagos Islands as a prerequisite for independence in 1965.

The lack of endorsement from Trump resulted in the indefinite suspension of the agreement last April. Defense Secretary Streeting confirmed that no financial disbursements will be awarded to Mauritius during the pendency of the review. Emphasizing that Diego Garcia serves as a vital asset for national security, he affirmed that the primary objective is to achieve a mutually agreeable outcome.

The Maldives has similarly articulated deep apprehensions regarding the Chagos issue. The administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has opted to reject the 2023 ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) concerning the maritime boundary delineation between the Maldives and Chagos. Additionally, the incumbent administration has rescinded the prior government's acknowledgment of Mauritian sovereignty over the archipelago. President Muizzu maintains that, anchored in historical and legal precedent, the Maldives holds a superior claim over Chagos (Folhavahi).

In an effort to address these issues, President Muizzu dispatched sent letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham on September 8th, requesting formal consultations. The President’s Office indicated that the correspondence articulated the Maldives' anxieties regarding the UK's decision to transfer Chagos to Mauritius.

Nonetheless, the British government has rebuffed the Maldives' overture. Reuters, referencing a spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office, reported that the question of Chagos sovereignty remains strictly a bilateral matter between the United Kingdom and Mauritius. Accordingly, the UK government conveyed that it would not participate in multilateral consultations with the Maldives on this particular subject.