UK Denies Reports of Increased Cost of Retaining Diego Garcia Military Base
UK Minister Dismisses Reports of £9 Billion to £18 Billion Payment to Mauritius
A UK minister has denied reports that the government could end up paying billions of pounds more to Mauritius under a renegotiated deal to retain a US-British military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Stephen Doughty, a foreign office minister, told parliament that reports in the British media that the cost of payments to retain the base could rise from £9 billion to £18 billion were "categorically untrue".
No Change to the Agreement
"There is no change to the substance or the quantum in relation to the agreement," Doughty said. "There is a huge amount of speculation, I would take the vast majority of it with a pinch of salt."
Background to the Agreement
Britain struck a deal in October to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius – a former colony that became independent in 1968 – while retaining control under a 99-year lease of the military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island of the Chagos archipelago.
Renegotiation of the Agreement
However, the Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who was elected in November, has questioned the deal, and US President Donald Trump’s team are also examining the agreement. Ramgoolam said yesterday that Britain had agreed to a number of changes, including that the lease could only be extended with the agreement of both countries. He also added that payments for the lease would be front-loaded and protected from inflation, which could increase the cost in real terms.
Government Refuses to Reveal Details
The British government has so far refused to reveal details of the cost of the deal.
Opposition Criticism
Priti Patel, the spokesman on foreign affairs for the opposition Conservative Party, told parliament the deal was "one of the worst foreign policy failures in modern British history". "Labour are surrendering an absolutely critical, strategic defence asset," she said. "And now we are told that we have to pay billions for the privilege of doing so."
UN Resolution
A non-binding resolution in the United Nations General Assembly in 2019 said Britain should give up control of the archipelago after wrongfully forcing the population to leave.
Conclusion
The UK’s decision to retain control of the US-British military base on Diego Garcia has been met with criticism and controversy. While the government has denied reports of increased costs, the deal remains a subject of debate, with some arguing that it is a strategic asset for the UK’s defense, while others see it as a symbol of colonialism and a breach of international law.
FAQs
- What is the Diego Garcia military base?
The Diego Garcia military base is a US-British military base located on the largest island of the Chagos archipelago in the Indian Ocean. - What is the current agreement regarding the base?
The UK and US have a 99-year lease agreement to retain control of the base, with the UK ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. - What is the current cost of the deal?
The exact cost of the deal is not publicly known, but reports suggest it could rise from £9 billion to £18 billion. - Is the deal subject to renegotiation?
Yes, the deal is subject to renegotiation, with both the UK and US examining the agreement. - What is the opposition’s stance on the deal?
The opposition Conservative Party has criticized the deal, calling it "one of the worst foreign policy failures in modern British history".