Nigel Farage has warned Sir Keir Starmer Britain’s deal with Mauritius over the strategically important Chagos Islands jeopardises the Prime Minister’s relationship with Donald Trump even before the President-elect comes into office.
Mr Farage spoke out after reports that Jonathan Powell, the UK Government’s recently appointed National Security Advisor, has travelled to Mauritius.
The MP for Clacton, posting on X, said: “Jonathan Powell, the UK’s new National Security Adviser, is in Mauritius.
“They want to surrender the Chagos Islands before Trump’s inauguration.
“If we treat the USA like this, can they still regard us as an ally?”
The recent agreement has stirred up considerable controversy, with implications which resonate both locally and globally.
For decades, the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago – officially the British Indian Ocean Territory – has been a contentious issue, with Mauritius insisting that the islands are an integral part of its territory. The British government, however, had retained control since the 1960s, leasing the largest island, Diego Garcia, to the United States for military use.
Central to the controversy hinted at by Mr Farage is the timing of the deal and the possible motivations behind it. Britain’s decision to negotiate with Mauritius follows years of international pressure but also coincides with concerns over Donald Trump’s expected inauguration in January.
During Mr Trump’s first presidency, his administration placed a premium on strategic military bases, such as that on the Chagossian island of Diego Garcia,, for maintaining US influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Many believe that Mr Trump’s return could see a resurgence of unilateral foreign policy decisions that complicate any transition of control.
The US base on Diego Garcia, pivotal for operations in the Middle East and Asia, remains a sensitive issue. Should Trump push for a firmer American grip over the base, it could hinder the progress of Mauritius reclaiming its sovereignty in practice, despite any agreements on paper.
Those in the Trump administration such as Marco Rubio, his incoming Secretary of State, is certain to regard Mauritius’s acquisition of the archipelago as having the potential to increase Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean.
Jonathan Powell’s recent visit to Mauritius as the UK’s newly appointed National Security Advisor has added a further layer of intrigue to the situation.
Mr Powell, known for his role in negotiating the Good Friday Agreement, is no stranger to complex diplomatic challenges. His presence in these negotiations signals that the UK may be attempting to smooth relations with Mauritius while safeguarding its strategic interests in alignment with the US.
However, critics have argued that the move is more about political posturing than genuine recognition of Mauritian sovereignty, especially as Britain seeks to balance its role as a US ally with its obligations to international law.
Finally, the deal’s impact on the Chagossian people remains an important aspect of the controversy. Thousands were forcibly removed from the islands in the 1960s and 70s to make way for the US military base, and their right of return remains unresolved.
With Mr Trump’s potential return to power, US strategic interests could potentially overshadow such human rights considerations.
