**UK Transfers Sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius, Ensuring Strategic Base is Secured**

In a landmark agreement, the UK has committed to transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, securing the future of the strategically significant Diego Garcia military base in the process. The British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, announced the deal, emphasizing its importance for global security and UK-Mauritius relations.

For over half a century, the Chagos Islands, an archipelago of more than 60 islands in the Indian Ocean, have been under British control. The central focus of this agreement is Diego Garcia, the largest island, where a pivotal UK-US naval base has been operational since the 1970s. This facility is deemed crucial for security operations across the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa.

The UK government underlined the necessity of this deal to avert threats to the base's operation, which could arise from contested sovereignty and potential legal actions. The agreement also addresses long-standing issues of displacement, allowing for the potential return of the few remaining individuals who were forcibly removed from the islands decades ago.

As part of the arrangement, the UK will retain sovereignty over Diego Garcia for an initial period of 99 years, with an agreement to pay Mauritius an undisclosed rent. Additionally, a "resettlement" fund will be established for Chagossians, enabling their return to islands other than Diego Garcia.

The Chagos Islands have been a contentious issue since 1965 when they were separated from Mauritius, a former UK colony that gained independence in 1968. Approximately 1,500 inhabitants were displaced to make way for the naval base, an act that Human Rights Watch has labeled as "crimes against humanity."

Chagossian Voices, representing the diaspora, expressed dissatisfaction with being excluded from the negotiations. They called for full inclusion in drafting the treaty and voiced their frustration through a statement on social media.

The agreement, subject to treaty finalization and legal processes, was welcomed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Mauritius counterpart, Pravind Jugnauth. The Mauritius government expressed hope for resolving outstanding issues related to the islands and the wrongs of the past, including the right of return for displaced Chagossians and their descendants.

Past legal battles have seen Chagossians fight for their right to return, most notably losing a Supreme Court ruling in the UK in 2016. Despite the previous Conservative government's regret for past mistreatment, it had denied the right of return at that time.

Internationally, the plight of the Chagossians and the sovereignty issue have gained support, especially from African nations and within the UN. In 2019, the International Court of Justice advised that the UK had unlawfully split Mauritius during decolonization.

The White House, through a statement from President Joe Biden, commended the agreement, highlighting its importance for the continued operation of the joint facility on Diego Garcia.

Domestically, the deal faced criticism from Conservative lawmakers, despite negotiations starting under the previous Conservative government. Concerns were raised about the potential ramifications, including speculative fears about Mauritius leasing islands to other nations like China.

This historic step represents a significant shift in international relations, aiming to balance geopolitical interests with addressing historical injustices.