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Chagos Islands: Sovereignty

Asked by Mr Mark FrancoisConservativeForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 5 June 2025UIN 54636

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 10 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart on United States forces at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia prioritising the employment of suitably qualified Mauritian (i) nationals and (ii) companies as contractors.

Answered by Stephen Doughty

The United States has welcomed the Diego Garcia Base Treaty. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that it "secures the operational capabilities of the base and key US national security interests in the region". We have worked closely with the US in securing this historic Treaty and will continue to work closely in its implementation.

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