Chagos Islands deal: US to have seat at talks on islands' future, says Mauritian PM

Navin Ramgoolam says the acceptance of a US presence shows he is willing to find common ground.

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Last October, the UK announced it would hand over sovereignty of the islands, known officially as the British Indian Ocean Territory, to Mauritius but would maintain a 99-year lease over the UK-US military airbase on the largest island, Diego Garcia.

The deal was reached with former Mauritian leader Pravind Jugnauth, but Navin Ramgoolam, his replacement, has been very critical.

Progress has also been delayed to allow officials from incoming President Donald Trump's team to look at the details of the deal.

The agreement struck in October - which had been greenlit by the Biden administration - includes the UK paying lease payments to Mauritius for the UK-US military airbase.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78xpxpx005o

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