Chagos Islands: Sovereignty
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will list the changes made to the Treaty with Mauritius over the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory between 3 October 2024 and 22 May 2025.
Answered by Stephen Doughty
The Government has always been clear that it would not provide a running commentary on negotiations. However, it is worth noting that the deal signed on 22 May is stronger than earlier versions of the treaty, particularly that inherited by the previous government in July 2024. Since 3 October 2024, the UK agreed additional measures with Mauritius that provided an effective UK veto to prevent any security threats to Base operations from the outer islands of the Archipelago - some over 100 nautical miles away. We have also agreed a change to the structure and timing of payments, meaning some of it will be front-loaded into the first few years. The overall cost of the deal has not changed from that negotiated under the former Mauritian Prime Minister in October 2024.
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