The United Kingdom has agreed to transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in order to ensure the continued operation of the strategically crucial US-British military base on Diego Garcia.
The Chagos Islands, a group of over 60 islands in the Indian Ocean, have been a subject of dispute for a long time.
The British government announced on Thursday that the deal has strong backing from international allies, especially the United States.
“Today’s deal secures this vital military base for the future,” said British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
“It will strengthen our role in safeguarding global security, eliminate any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous route for illegal immigration to the UK and secure our long-term relationship with Mauritius, a close Commonwealth partner,” he added.
Details shortly…