New Prime Minister's Demand for Review
Mauritius's new Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam, who recently won by a landslide in the elections, has called for a review of the Chagos Islands deal. This move comes as a significant blow to Sir Keir Starmer, with Ramgoolam's cabinet set to assess the agreement before determining the next steps.
Sir Keir's Confidence and Concerns
Sir Keir Starmer expressed confidence that the agreement, which grants Mauritius sovereignty over the islands while maintaining the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, will be ratified soon. However, the new government's lack of knowledge about the deal during negotiations has raised concerns.
US Response and Potential Challenges
Despite US President Biden's initial support for the deal, the incoming Trump administration has shown reservations. Marco Rubio, Trump's choice for secretary of state, raised concerns about China gaining intelligence through the agreement. Nigel Farage, a close ally of Trump, predicted that the new US administration would view Sir Keir's deal with hostility.
