Sir Keir Starmer’s giveaway of the British-controlled and strategic Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean — a process which got underway under the Tories — looks to be in ruins after the Prime Minister of Mauritius, the island country which would have taken control of the territory, said the deal did not benefit his country enough.
The deal was controversial anyway, not only because it seemingly went over the heads of the Chagos Islanders (who admittedly have been treated badly by the Brits over the years), nor simply because Mauritius never actually controlled the territory, but because China has now become such a key ally of Mauritius.
The all-important Diego Garcia is part of the territory and an ongoing 99-year-lease of a UK-US military base there remains part of the deal. Yet with China in the background, what stops Mauritius tearing up that part of the deal, or indeed China from spying on Diego Garcia thanks to its close relationship with the Mauritian government?
Indeed it seems the Diego Garcia lease could be the sticking point from the Mauritian side. Last month, Arvin Boolell — a senior minister and Leader of the Opposition — said “the tenant has become the owner of Diego Garcia for 200 years” (the terms are 99).
Worse from Britain’s perspective is that the UK taxpayer would be on the hook to help fund the Mauritian takeover. Crucially the security dimension of the deal meant the incoming Donald Trump administration apparently had severe reservations about the terms of the agreement, likely creating friction between London and Washington over the deal.
Although the British government is keen to get things moving, the new US government is unlikely to agree with any deal which sees the Americans kicked out of the Indian Ocean.
After all – the US territory of Guam aside — this is America’s major military base in the region, and would be critical in the event of all-war with China, or indeed just to offer reassurance to allies in the region.
Labour may have anti-colonialism in the blood, but Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy need to consider the implications of bowing to this demand, especially as Chinese pressure could well be in the mix.
The Labour Government not only has a chance to stand up for British interests but to ensure ties with the Trump White House are not undermined at this critical moment.
