The British government has finalised a deal to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after a court-ordered injunction briefly delayed the signing, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. Speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon, Starmer said the deal is “absolutely vital for our defence and intelligence, and therefore, for the safety and security of the British people”. “It is worth reminding ourselves who is in favour of this treaty, this deal, and who’s against it,” he said, noting that British allies such as the United States and NATO are behind the pact while Russia, China and Iran are opposed. The multibillion-dollar agreement will allow the United Kingdom to retain control of the strategically important US-UK airbase on Diego Garcia, the largest island of the archipelago in the Indian Ocean, under a 99-year lease. “The strategic location of this base is of the utmost significance to Britain,” Starmer said during the news conference. The signing comes just hours after a High Court judge early on Thursday imposed an injunction postponing Starmer’s virtual signing ceremony with Mauritian representatives.

Full report : UK signs deal to hand Chagos Islands to Mauritius.