On September 24, 2026, Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam addressed the media on the sidelines of the Mauritius International Urology Conclave 2026 in Balaclava. He briefly commented on the Chagos Islands issue following recent criticism from former US President Donald Trump. Ramgoolam defended his decision not to attend a United Nations meeting to discuss the matter.
Ramgoolam expressed his belief in "quiet diplomacy" as the best approach to resolving the Chagos Islands dispute. He revealed plans to visit London to meet with Jonathan Powell, the UK's National Security Advisor, and other officials to discuss the issue. The Prime Minister emphasized that Mauritius's sovereignty over the Chagos Islands is not open to negotiation.
The Chagos Islands have been a point of contention between Mauritius and the UK for decades. The UK has maintained a significant military base on the islands, which has been a source of tension between the two nations. Ramgoolam's government has been working to assert Mauritius's claim to the islands, which are believed to have significant economic and strategic importance.
Ramgoolam's comments come amid growing international attention on the Chagos Islands issue. The dispute has been the subject of several high-profile diplomatic exchanges in recent months, with various countries weighing in on the matter. The Prime Minister's decision to pursue quiet diplomacy has been seen as a strategic move to build support for Mauritius's claim.
The Mauritius International Urology Conclave 2026, where Ramgoolam made his comments, is a significant event for the country's healthcare sector. The conference brought together experts from around the world to discuss advances in urology and share knowledge on best practices. Ramgoolam received a replica of the Statue of Unity from Dr. Mahendra Bhandari during the ceremony.
Ramgoolam's meeting with Jonathan Powell is seen as a significant step in Mauritius's diplomatic efforts on the Chagos Islands issue. Powell's role as National Security Advisor gives him considerable influence over UK foreign policy, and his meeting with Ramgoolam is expected to help build bridges between the two nations.
The outcome of Ramgoolam's diplomatic efforts remains to be seen. However, his commitment to asserting Mauritius's sovereignty over the Chagos Islands is clear. The issue is expected to continue to be a major point of contention between Mauritius and the UK in the coming months.
Key points
- Mauritius PM Navin Ramgoolam asserts sovereignty over Chagos Islands is non-negotiable
- Ramgoolam to meet with UK National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell to discuss Chagos Islands issue
- Mauritius and UK have been in a long-standing dispute over Chagos Islands sovereignty
