The United Kingdom has agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following a High Court ruling that has cleared the way for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to formalise the contentious agreement.

In a treaty to “complete the process of decolonisation of Mauritius”, the Government has agreed to pay at least £120 million-a-year for 99 years for control of the vital Diego Garcia base, plus hand over £1.125 billion for economic development over a 25-year period.

The islands, named after a Spanish navigator, have a basically symbolic British presence. The United Kingdom hands over the Chagos archipelago (and the massive US base on Diego Garcia island) to Mauritius (and to the Chinese fishing fleet).

A heated exchange took place on GB News this evening as a guest confronted Labour MP Barry Gardiner over what he described as "giving away" British territory only to lease it back. The confrontation comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed an agreement formally ceding British control of the Chagos Archipelago to the Mauritian government,

Historic Decision Transfers Control to Mauritius The UK government has reached a major agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to the island republic of Mauritius. As part of the deal,

India on Wednesday welcomed the signing of a treaty between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Mauritius on the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.

The United Kingdom agreed to cede its control over the Chagos Islands to the Republic of Mauritius in an agreement signed between the two countries on Thursday.

London/New Delhi, May 22 (IANS): Terming it as a "milestone achievement" and a "positive development for the region", India on Thursday welcomed the signing of the treaty between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Mauritius on the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.