Mauritius Calls for Renegotiation of UK Military Base Deal

The newly elected government of Mauritius, led by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, is seeking to renegotiate a deal with the UK regarding the Chagos Islands, which are home to a strategic military base for the UK and US. Ramgoolam criticized the previous agreement as failing to deliver expected benefits for Mauritius and has submitted counter-proposals to the UK. This development complicates British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's early diplomatic success as the agreement was intended to settle decades of disputes over the islands. While the UK maintains that the deal is fair, the potential for a change in US administration under President-elect Donald Trump adds further uncertainty. Ramgoolam's government is open to an agreement but has emphasized the need for better terms that align with Mauritius' interests. The situation is further complicated by the historical context of displacement faced by the Chagossian people during the establishment of the military base in the 1970s.