Global leaders have a selective view of sovereignty. It matters, as long as it’s in their interests | Kenan Malik
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US Joins Chagos Islands Talks
Above: Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam waits for election results in Triolet, Mauritius, on Nov. 11, 2024. Image copyright: Li Yahui/Xinhua News Agency/Contributor via Getty Images
The Facts
UK news outlet The Telegraph reported on Thursday that the US has requested direct participation in negotiations between the UK and Mauritius regarding the future of the Chagos Islands, with Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam confirming that a White House representative will attend the meetings.
In October 2024, the UK and Mauritius agreed to transfer sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) to Mauritius while securing a 99-year lease arrangement with an option to extend for the Diego Garcia military base. However, this deal was rejected and described as a "sell-out" by the newly-elected Mauritian prime minister.
While UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated that the UK government will set out the details of the deal once it's finalized, Ramgoolam has claimed the new prospective agreement must include the ability to refuse the lease extension as well as front-loading payments to Mauritius.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The decision to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius poses a significant threat to US and Western interests. Diego Garcia, a strategic military base crucial to US operations in the Indo-Pacific, risks falling into the hands of a government with ties to China. Allowing Mauritius control could open the door to Chinese influence, jeopardizing regional security. US intervention is necessary to safeguard its presence in this vital region and counter potential Chinese encroachment.
Establishment-critical narrative
The Chagos Islands rightfully belong to Mauritius, and the current negotiations represent a long-overdue correction of historical colonial injustice. Mauritius has demonstrated good faith by agreeing to lease arrangements, providing assurances against third-party access, and even allowing the US to come to the negotiating table. Total sovereignty over the archipelago represents a fundamental matter of national dignity and self-determination that must not be superseded by colonial interests.
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