UK’s Starmer wants ‘strong protections’ for military base in Chagos Islands deal

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LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday told his Mauritian counterpart, Navin Ramgoolam, that he wants “strong protections”, including from “malign influence”, for a U.S.-British military base on Diego Garcia, according to a statement from Downing Street.

Britain struck a deal in October to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while retaining control under a 99-year lease of the military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island of the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean.

However, Ramgoolam, who was elected in November, has questioned the deal agreed by his predecessor and it is yet to be ratified.

“The Prime Minister underlined the need for a deal to secure the military base on Diego Garcia that ensures strong protections, including from malign influence, and that will allow the base to continue to operate,” a readout of Starmer’s call with Ramgoolam said.

“Both leaders reiterated their commitment to a deal, and they looked forward to speaking again soon.”

Britain is waiting for the new U.S. administration to review the deal.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the deal poses a threat to U.S. security by ceding the archipelago – with its base used by U.S. long-range bombers and warships – to a country allied with China.

Starmer spoke with President Donald Trump on Jan. 26 but a readout of that call did not mention the Chagos Islands.

(Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Sandra Maler)