The Maldives has formally renewed its sovereignty claim over the Chagos Islands and requested discussions with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, according to reports. The move comes as the UK government's plan to transfer the archipelago, officially known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, to Mauritius faces significant hurdles.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has written to Prime Minister Burnham to initiate talks regarding the future of the Chagos Islands. In a statement released by President Muizzu's office, the Maldives expressed concerns about the UK's intention to hand over the islands to Mauritius. The statement highlighted the shared history and cultural ties between the Maldives and the Chagos Islands, as well as the Maldives' support for marine conservation and scientific research in the region. The Maldives reaffirmed its commitment to a constructive partnership with the UK on matters concerning Chagos, while emphasizing the safeguarding of Maldivian interests.
President Muizzu also stressed the importance of dialogue between the UK and the Maldives on the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, expressing hope that renewed engagement would contribute to stability and security in the Indian Ocean.
The UK's proposed agreement with Mauritius would see Britain cede sovereignty of the islands and then lease back the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago, for 99 years. Under this deal, Britain would pay Mauritius an estimated £101 million annually, totaling approximately £3.4 billion over the lease period. However, critics have raised concerns about the potential long-term cost, estimating it could reach £35 billion, and have warned about transferring control of the islands to Mauritius, which they view as an ally of China.
The process of ratifying the agreement in Parliament has stalled, partly due to a withdrawal of support from the United States. Former US President Donald Trump had previously expressed opposition to the handover deal. Reports suggest that Prime Minister Burnham has retained Jonathan Powell, who was instrumental in negotiating the original Chagos deal, as his national security adviser, leading to speculation that he may seek to advance the agreement despite the withdrawn US backing.
The capital of the Maldives, Malé, is located approximately 800 miles from Diego Garcia, while the Mauritian capital, Port Louis, is about 1,300 miles away. The Maldives' renewed claim and demand for talks add a new layer of complexity to the ongoing dispute over the strategically important territory.