UK to give up Chagos Islands sovereignty to secure future of military base

Britain is giving up sovereignty of a remote group of islands in return for securing the long-term future of a strategically important military base.

The UK Government said it has reached a political agreement with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands, also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, following negotiations which began in 2022.

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[ChrisAndCats]

No we didnt! One man did. He should be held liable.

[commanderuk]

Why would we do something stupid like that

[josephinepalfreyman]

Why is it BACK to Mauritius they have NEVER been responsible for it.

[ianlarman]

Return? We really must get Lammy out of this position of power!

[donxz]

So I suppose it’s the Falkland Islands next ?

[davidbilbrough]

Have you noticed what ever colony we give up we still end up sending 'help' in the form of millions in aid. If he even mentions the Falklands he will be out on his ear as this is still needed as a 'half way house for British aid!!!

[Luzitanium]

Portugal gave up of its territory oversears and now those people who wanted indepdence now are migrating to Portugal, if their independence failed then it should return back to Portugal

[FreePizza]

Not an agreement that seems fair or legal. “You can have your house back but our military base will use it as we wish”

[IHL]

For those who dont know, Mauritius has been fighting this fight after concerns raised by origin of chagos island living here since 1965. There was a deal when all islands under Mauritius were to be returned except Diego Garcia in return of which UK would give Mauritius independence. So, independence was taken as a deal. People living there were transferred to Mauritius and they need their country back. Mauritian govt even if the matter was difficult to deal with, keep fighting for them. So we shall all be happy that these people got their island.

[gordonfreeman]

We dont have to secure. It was already ours.

[janethart]

Who made that decision? How come the British people knew nothing about it?

[clayn]

Soooo if it’s ours why would we need to make a deal to have air bases on it 🤣🤣🤣🤣 sounds as backwards as Starmer

[ste]

I don't understand why Mauritius is claiming Diego Garcia - its 2, 000 miles away from there and is almost closer to Indonesia but its actually much closer to India - surely India has a stronger claim in anyone? Also Diego Garcia is not in Africa, its on the southern edge of the Indian sub-continent!

[legendaryletsserviceaccomm]

The Current UK government is not fit to govern. They need to leave now😮

[Evemeister]

Gammons crying in the comments section haha

[trevski]

Funny how the Labour party has gone out of its way to dismantle the British Empire whilst actively creating the empire here. I'm sure the Indians that run Mauritius appreciate the land and cash.

[Davebsuk]

Government performing the will of the people - NOT.
What the hell is wrong with starmer, has he done anything right?

[bradleyclark]

I mean we probably should not be in control of the islands as we did commit an ethnic cleansing for said military bases for the Americans so we could get a discount on some of their nukes. 🤔

[leaveourstatuesalone.]

Those islands were never inhabited, those were British sovereign lands, starmer u plonka

[WilliamWilliams-ou]

So we gave them sovereignty to make sure the military base stayed there. It couldn't have stayed there anyway? And the 'guarantee' relies on two things. The Mauritians not changing their minds in a few years, and no other large country invading them. Big mistake in my view.