The UK is set to sign a controversial deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as soon as Thursday, according to people familiar with the matter.
The deal, which is expected to see the UK agree a multibillion pound payment to retain access to the Diego Garcia US-UK military base while transferring sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius, has been keenly awaited due to the site’s strategic importance.
The long-planned arrangement for the British Indian Ocean Territory has been heavily criticised by the opposition Conservative party, which has accused UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of giving up a key strategic asset and saddling taxpayers with large payments to retain access.
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