The U.S. will hold three days of talks in Port Louis with Mauritius to discuss long-term security arrangements for the Diego Garcia base after the UK agreed to return the Chagos archipelago. The State Department said discussions will focus on implementing measures to ensure the base's secure operation, and Washington is coordinating with London. The May agreement under Prime Minister Keir Starmer transfers sovereignty to Mauritius while leasing the joint U.S.-UK base for a century. The deal prompted mixed reactions from officials and commentators.
US to Hold Talks With Mauritius Over Diego Garcia as UK Agrees to Return Chagos
The State Department said it would hold talks in the Mauritian capital Port Louis on the strategic base at Diego Garcia (Handout)(Handout/DoD/AFP)
The United States announced it will hold three days of talks in Port Louis next week with Mauritian officials to discuss preserving the U.S. military presence on Diego Garcia after the United Kingdom agreed to return the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius.
What the Talks Will Cover
According to a State Department statement, the meetings will focus on the "effective implementation of security arrangements for the base to ensure its long-term, secure operation." U.S. officials said Washington is also conducting parallel consultations with the United Kingdom as the agreement moves forward.
"The United States supports the decision of the United Kingdom to proceed with its agreement with Mauritius concerning the Chagos archipelago," the State Department said.
Agreement Background
In May, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government reached an agreement to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius. As part of that deal, Britain agreed to lease the joint U.S.-UK military base on Diego Garcia for 100 years.
Britain retained control of the Chagos Islands after Mauritius gained independence in the 1960s and forcibly removed thousands of islanders. Those displaced residents have pursued legal challenges and compensation claims for decades.
Reactions
Senator Marco Rubio initially described the agreement as "historic," while former President Donald Trump criticized the deal on social media, calling it an "act of GREAT STUPIDITY." According to later reports, Trump softened his stance after speaking with Prime Minister Starmer.
The upcoming Port Louis talks will be closely watched by regional and international observers given Diego Garcia's strategic importance in the Indian Ocean for logistics, intelligence and regional security operations.
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