Starmer seeks protections for UK-US military base in Chagos deal

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is actively pursuing a deal with Mauritius regarding the Chagos Islands, emphasizing the need for 'strong protections' for the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia amid concerns of increased Chinese influence in the region. During a recent conversation with Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, Starmer reiterated the importance of securing the military base while negotiating the transfer of sovereignty back to Mauritius, which has not yet been ratified. The proposed agreement includes a 99-year lease for the military base, accompanied by a financial commitment estimated at £9 billion. US security analysts have raised alarms over the implications of the deal for military operations, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeling it as a potential security threat. Despite these concerns, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement, looking forward to future discussions. The situation reflects the delicate interplay of geopolitical interests in the Indian Ocean region as the US and UK navigate their military presence.