UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed his desire to "remanier" the agreement with the US regarding the Chagos Islands, specifically the contested island of Diego Garcia, home to a joint Anglo-American military base. This move comes after the US expressed resistance to the initial deal, which was struck by Burnham's predecessor, Keir Starmer. The original agreement would have transferred sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius.
The initial agreement, signed by Starmer, would have seen the UK transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while maintaining a 99-year lease on the Diego Garcia base. The deal included a payment of £165 million to Mauritius over the first three years, followed by £120 million annually from year four. However, the agreement was put on hold after former US President Donald Trump voiced his opposition, calling it a "catastrophic" deal.
Burnham has indicated that the UK is in discussions with the US to find a compromise, citing the example of a similar agreement between the US and Denmark regarding Greenland. He stated that the UK is exploring elements of the Greenland deal that could be applied to the Chagos Islands situation. The UK government has suspended payments to Mauritius in light of the uncertainty surrounding the agreement.
The Chagos Islands dispute has been ongoing for several years, with Mauritius claiming sovereignty over the islands. The UK's decision to maintain a military base on Diego Garcia has been a point of contention, with some arguing that it is an obstacle to the decolonization of the islands. Burnham's comments suggest that the UK is seeking to find a solution that addresses US concerns while also acknowledging the rights of Mauritius.
The issue has also sparked debate about the UK's relationships with its international partners, particularly the US. Burnham's comments on the Chagos Islands agreement come amid preparations for the UK to host the G20 summit in Manchester next year. The Prime Minister has confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping will be invited, but Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend due to existing sanctions.
In addition to the G20 summit, Burnham is expected to attend an EU summit in Brussels, where the UK's long-term relationship with the bloc will be discussed. The Prime Minister has also promised to unveil a "decadal plan" outlining his vision for the UK's development over the next decade, including greater public control over key sectors of the economy.
Burnham has denied reports that the decadal plan will be delayed or lack detail, stating that it will be a "substantial" document that ties together various strands of policy. The plan is expected to be published in January, although Burnham has left open the possibility of a later release date.
Key points
- The UK is seeking to renegotiate the Chagos Islands agreement with the US amid concerns over a potential military base.
- The original agreement, which would have transferred sovereignty to Mauritius, has been put on hold due to US opposition.
- The UK's decadal plan, outlining its vision for the next decade, is expected to be published in January.
