UK Agrees to Transfer Chagos Islands to Mauritius

The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while retaining control over the crucial Diego Garcia military base for the next 99 years. This historic deal has ignited significant backlash from the Conservative Party, with critics labeling it a 'dangerous capitulation' that undermines British strategic interests and aligns the UK with China's ally, Mauritius. Former foreign secretary James Cleverly and Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick have been particularly vocal, accusing Starmer of weakness and mismanagement of negotiations that began under previous administrations. In contrast, the government defends the agreement as a means to safeguard global security and close illegal migration routes. The deal follows decades of controversy over the displacement of Chagossians and aims to resolve long-standing disputes regarding the islands' status.