A government minister has stated that there will be no alteration in the policy regarding the UK’s choice to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Seema Malhotra, a minister at the Foreign Office, expressed on the Politics London program that the arrangement is “focused on ensuring our future,” adding that the UK’s allies have endorsed the consensus.
In May 2025, the British government made the decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while maintaining a lease for a significant military base on Diego Garcia at an annual cost of £101 million.
Chagossians residing in London have voiced their dissent against this agreement, claiming they are being excluded from discussions about the future of their birthplace.
The Chagos Islands comprise over 60 islands located in the Indian Ocean and are part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
Misley Mandarin, a BIOT national, shared his frustrations on Politics London, stating: “It feels like the Labour government is rushing ahead with this treaty without taking into account the most crucial element of the deal, which is the perspective of the Chagossians.
“This infuriates us. I’d rather sacrifice my life for my homeland than have it ceded to Mauritius.
“This intense anger manifests in me, and it is shared widely among Chagossians.”
The UK acquired the Chagos Islands in 1968 for £3 million, subsequently displacing the Chagossians over the following five years to establish a UK-US military base.
Many of those displaced relocated to Mauritius, the Seychelles, and the UK.
Vanessa Mandarin, another BIOT citizen, conveyed her sentiments on the show: “We seek the right to determine the future of our homeland, to decide what we wish to do with it.
“We want Chagossians to be prioritized in this process.
“We oppose any external party speaking for us. We will continue to fight for our rights and will not back down.”
Malhotra, who serves as Labour MP for Feltham and Heston, noted that the bulk of discussions between the UK and Mauritius occurred under the previous Conservative administration.
She acknowledged the “varied opinions within the Chagossian community” and emphasized that the agreement is primarily about ensuring the security of the Diego Garcia base.
Andrew Rosindell, Conservative MP for Romford, referred to the deal as “completely unacceptable” during his appearance on Politics London.
He remarked: “All former colonies have the right to self-determination, and we are denying these individuals the opportunity to shape their own futures. This contradicts fundamental human rights.
“Not only did we forcibly separate them from their homeland and ancestral properties, but now we are proclaiming that we will hand their land over to a foreign power.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Mauritius will obtain sovereignty over the islands from the UK while permitting the US and UK to maintain operations at a military base on Diego Garcia for an initial duration of 99 years.
For the latest episode of BBC Politics London, tune in to BBC One at 10:30 on Sunday or visit BBC iPlayer.
