Andy Burnham has pledged to work with Mauritius and the United States to press ahead with ratifying the Chagos treaty while protecting UK access to the Diego Garcia military base. The May agreement to cede sovereignty to Mauritius in return for a 99-year lease was paused after US opposition and still requires a parliamentary bill to take effect. Foreign ministers from both countries will meet during the UN General Assembly to try to resolve outstanding security and political concerns.
Burnham Vows To Push Chagos Handover While Safeguarding Diego Garcia Lease
The UK is seeking to relinquish sovereignty over the Chagos Islands while retaining a 99-year lease over the Diego Garcia military base - AFP
Andy Burnham has pledged to "do everything possible" to advance ratification of the Chagos treaty and transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while working to preserve UK access to the Diego Garcia military base.
According to an official Downing Street readout, Mr Burnham spoke by phone with Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam on Monday. The readout said Mr Burnham "reiterated his commitment to continue doing everything possible, together with the USA, towards the ratification of the Chagos treaty."
The two leaders agreed their foreign ministers would meet on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, which opens this week. Downing Street noted that "the United Kingdom recognises the need to ensure the use of the Diego Garcia military base for its security."
Background and Current Impasse
On 22 May last year, Sir Keir Starmer's government reached a deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after more than two centuries of British control, while securing a 99-year lease to retain use of the Diego Garcia base. The agreement was paused in April after opposition from the Trump administration and has not been ratified because White House support is seen as essential.
The Mauritian and British foreign ministers are expected to discuss the future of the Chagos Islands at the UN General Assembly - Reuters
Downing Street said ministers remain committed to the deal but accept it cannot proceed without backing from the United States. The bill required to enact the handover still needs to complete its passage through the British Parliament.
Public Comments and Next Steps
Travelling to New York for the UN General Assembly, Mr Burnham told reporters he would work with Mauritius and the US "to find a solution to retaining control over Diego Garcia." He added: "We remain determined to secure the long-term operation of the base, which is crucial to our security and that of our allies."
"The assurance I gave was I will work towards a resolution. At the moment we don't have that, but I gave an assurance that I would commit to working towards one," Mr Burnham said.
Mauritius described the call as cordial and said both sides showed a "clear desire to continue working together" on the treaty. Mauritian officials said Port Louis planned to raise the issue at the UN General Assembly and welcomed a planned meeting between Mauritius' foreign minister Dhananjay Ramful and UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.
The matter could also come up during Mr Burnham's scheduled meeting with Donald Trump. Financial details remain a focus: Sir Keir initially estimated the cost of the package at £3.4bn, and later reporting suggested the price could rise by £288m under Treasury reforms.
Campaigners and former island residents continue to call for a just resolution for the Chagossians, whose displacement remains a central humanitarian element of the dispute.
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