UK Delays Chagos Islands Sovereignty Bill to Mauritius Due to US Opposition

The United Kingdom has decided to set aside a bill that would return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. This action follows opposition from the United States. The UK government stated it would only proceed with the deal if it receives US support.

The Chagos Islands, located in the Indian Ocean, include Diego Garcia, which hosts a joint UK-US military facility. The proposed agreement would have transferred sovereignty to Mauritius while allowing the UK to lease back the base for 99 years at a cost of approximately £35 billion. Britain's suspension of the legislation means it lacks sufficient time to pass before the upcoming King's Speech.

The US President described the proposed arrangement as "an act of great stupidity" and a "big mistake."

His criticism has led to the halt of the parliamentary process. A UK government spokesperson said the country would continue to argue to Washington that the agreement best safeguards the base's future operations. The military facility on Diego Garcia provides strategic capabilities and serves as a counterweight to Chinese influence in the region.

Reports indicate that deteriorating relations between the US and UK have contributed to the impasse. Mauritius has promised to exhaust all diplomatic and legal avenues to complete the decolonization process.

the late 1960s and 1970s, Britain removed up to 2,000 indigenous Chagossians to establish the Diego Garcia base.

The archipelago's position enhances military operations in the Indian Ocean. The UK confirmed the agreement requires American backing to move forward. Talks between Mauritian and British officials are scheduled for 22 April to discuss the future of the arrangement.

A Mauritius official stated that resolution depends on an agreement between the US and UK. The development underscores the interconnected nature of the dispute with bilateral relations.