UK PM to reopen Chagos Islands deal after US pushback
Andy Burnham said the government will suspend payments to Mauritius while it seeks a new arrangement with Washington for the Diego Garcia base.
By Diego Mendoza ·
The United Kingdom will pause financial payments to Mauritius as Prime Minister Andy Burnham seeks to restructure the agreement over the Chagos Islands. The move follows strong opposition from the United States, which has demanded a new model for the deal.
Burnham told The Economist that the British government is entering fresh talks with Washington. He stated, "We are in discussion with our US friends to see how we might recast the arrangement that better meets their concerns." The prime minister suggested that the US agreement with Denmark over Greenland could serve as a template for the new Chagos deal.
The original treaty was signed by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer. It planned to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while keeping a joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia under a 99-year lease. Under that plan, Mauritius was to receive 165 million pounds over the first three years and 120 million pounds annually starting in the fourth year.
The deal entered a state of uncertainty after President Donald Trump voiced his disapproval. In September, following a meeting with Burnham in New York, Trump said, "I don't support it. I think it's a terrible deal." Defense Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed that the UK has suspended payments while both governments work toward a compromise that secures American support.
Streeting explained that the current framework cannot proceed without US backing. He told the BBC, "So we have to get a deal to a place where it commands American support as well as the agreement of the government of Mauritius and our government."
Burnham made these comments upon returning from the Commonwealth heads of government summit in Antigua. He also outlined upcoming domestic and international priorities. He plans to host the G20 summit in Manchester next year, where he expects Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin would be barred due to outstanding sanctions against Russian officials.
In the coming weeks, Burnham will attend an EU summit in Brussels to discuss the UK's long-term relationship with the bloc. He is also preparing a 10-year economic plan that includes public control over key parts of the economy. Burnham indicated the plan might be delayed until December or January, describing it as a substantial document that weaves together various policy threads.
