Key facts
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam on Monday.
- The dispute concerns the U.S.-British military base on Diego Garcia.
- Britain agreed to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, retaining a 99-year lease for Diego Garcia.
- U.S. President Donald Trump has described the deal as a 'big mistake'.
- UK and Mauritian foreign ministers are to meet at the U.N. General Assembly.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam spoke on Monday, pledging to work towards resolving a dispute over the U.S.-British military base on Diego Garcia. The UK had previously agreed to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after more than two centuries of control, while retaining a 99-year lease over Diego Garcia and its strategic military base. However, the legislation to implement this agreement has been paused due to opposition from the United States, with President Donald Trump calling the deal a "big mistake."
A readout from Downing Street stated that Burnham "underlined his commitment to working with Mauritius and the United States on a way forward that secures the operation of the base and protects UK national security." The leaders agreed to maintain close contact, and their foreign ministers are scheduled to meet at the U.N. General Assembly in New York this week.