Burnham wants to ‘recast’ Chagos Islands deal after US resistance
Summary
Andy Burnham said the UK is discussing changes to its proposed Chagos Islands agreement with the United States after President Donald Trump opposed the deal. Burnham suggested the arrangement could draw on the US-Denmark agreement over Greenland, while UK officials say any revised deal must also satisfy Mauritius.Key Facts
- The UK agreement would transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while keeping the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia under a 99-year lease.
- The proposed agreement included payments of £165 million to Mauritius for three years, followed by £120 million a year.
- Trump said in September that he opposed the Chagos agreement.
- Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the UK had suspended payments to Mauritius while the UK and US seek a compromise.
- Burnham said the UK is working with the US to find changes that address Washington’s concerns.
- The Greenland arrangement keeps the island under Danish sovereignty and allows the US to develop a significant military presence there.
- Burnham said Russian President Vladimir Putin would not attend next year’s G20 summit in Manchester because of sanctions, while Chinese President Xi Jinping would be welcome.
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