U.K. says close to Chagos pact with Mauritius to keep Diego Garcia

London hopes to retain U.S.-British army base, sign deal before Trump inauguration

Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago, is the site of a major U.S.-U.K. military base in the middle of the Indian Ocean. © Reuters

January 13, 2025 21:19 JST

LONDON (Reuters) -- Britain and Mauritius said on Monday there had been good progress in talks to finalize a deal over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including a U.S.-British military base, with London hoping for sign-off before Donald Trump's inauguration.

Britain struck a deal in October to hand over control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining control of the military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island of the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, under a 99-year lease -- an agreement that needs to be ratified.