Chagos Archipelago: Mauritius Moves Closer to Full Sovereignty
The Chagos Archipelago: Mauritius Moves Closer to Full Sovereignty
Defi Quotidien
Wed 22/10/2025 - 12:30
The UK House of Commons has overwhelmingly passed the Diego Garcia Bill, paving the way for the historic transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Despite opposition criticism, State Minister for Defence, Luke Pollard, firmly defends the agreement, emphasizing its strategic importance to the United Kingdom.
In the early hours of Tuesday, October 21, the British Parliament’s House of Commons adopted the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill by a vote of 320 to 171. This vote marks a decisive step in implementing the bilateral agreement signed in May 2025 between the UK and Mauritius, transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands from London to Port Louis.
The agreement entails the transfer of the archipelago, including Diego Garcia, which houses a key military base for both the UK and the US. The legislative text will now be reviewed by the House of Lords before receiving royal assent, expected in early 2026, paving the way for an effective transfer by the end of the year, according to The Guardian.
State Minister for Defence Luke Pollard defended the treaty during discussions, highlighting its importance for the UK's strategic interests. He dismissed criticism from the Conservative opposition, which argues that the agreement compromises national security and British interests.
The opposition, led by the Conservatives and Reform UK party, has strongly contested the proposal. Conservative MP Priti Patel described the agreement as "bad" for the UK, criticizing the Labour government's arrogance and financial aspects. Conservative MP Wendy Morton initiated the debate by asserting that Mauritius is already discussing a possible security role in the archipelago with India, excluding the UK from the talks.
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, condemned the deal as a "capitulation agreement" and accused ministers of jeopardizing British security. He claimed that the Chagossians, the indigenous population exiled since the 1960s, received a "bad deal" as their homeland was ceded without proper consultation. He pointed to Jonathan Powell, National Security Adviser to Sir Keir Starmer, as the architect of the agreement, accusing him of "selling us out to China". He also stated that China is negotiating a lease on Peros Banhos. According to Farage, Mauritius is not a reliable nation: "bankrupt, it needs money and will not honor this agreement," a claim denied by Attorney General Gavin Glover.
Labour MP Peter Lamb, representing a significant Chagossian community in Crawley, opposed the deal, arguing that his constituents were not consulted beforehand. Conservatives proposed amendments that were rejected by the majority: these aimed to block payments for Diego Garcia without parliamentary approval and to impose further consultation with the Chagossians. On the government side, Stephen Doughty, Minister at the Foreign Office, supported the agreement, arguing it includes security guarantees and ensures the sustainability of the base. He reminded that the treaty protects the outer islands and formally prohibits any foreign bases from establishing a presence there.
