Russia has expressed its approval of Keir Starmer’s plan to transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a move described by some as a ‘surrender’.
In a significant diplomatic gesture, Irada Zeynalova, Russia’s ambassador to Mauritius, praised the African nation’s efforts to reclaim sovereignty over the strategically vital Indian Ocean archipelago. She affirmed Russia’s steadfast support for Mauritius as it enters negotiations with its ‘previous masters’ regarding the islands’ future.
The Chagos Islands have been under British control for more than two centuries, serving as a British overseas territory. However, in a surprising turn of events, the Labour Government announced in October 2024 its intention to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius.
This decision is part of a substantial £35 billion agreement, which includes provisions for a joint UK-US military base located on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago. The base will be leased back to Britain for a minimum of 99 years, ensuring continued military collaboration in the region.
But, in October 2024, the Labour Government made the shock announcement it was going to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
As part of a £35billion deal, a joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia – the largest of the islands – will be leased back to Britain for at least 99 years.
The Government insisted it had to strike a deal with Mauritius to protect the vital base after an international court ruled the UK’s administration of the islands was ‘unlawful’.
But the Prime Minister is under huge pressure to scrap the ‘surrender’ agreement after it was repeatedly criticised by US President Donald Trump in recent weeks.
Russia has thrown its support behind Keir Starmer’s ‘surrender’ of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius
Under the terms of Labour’s Chagos Islands deal, Britain is paying Mauritius to lease back the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which is the largest of the Indian Ocean islands
Irada Zeynalova, Moscow’s ambassador to Mauritius, hailed the African country’s fight for sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago
In a message to mark the national day of Mauritius on Thursday, Ms Zeynalova hailed Russia’s links with the African nation since its independence from the UK in 1968.
She noted how Mauritius had ‘always been a part of a big strategic game’ due to its geographical location, adding that Moscow had ‘supported Mauritius back in 1968 and we are ready to do it now’.
The comments will spark alarm at Russia fostering closer ties with Mauritius, which is also viewed as an ally of China, at the same time as Britain hands over control of the Chagos Islands.
The ambassador wrote in an article for local newspaper L’Express: ‘During the last 58 years Mauritius has been consistently and pragmatically turning into a regional centre of education, textile, tourism and finance.
‘And all this time Mauritius has been fighting for justice claiming that decolonisation is to be finished.
‘That is why it has been continuously negotiating Chagos deal with previous masters who made this archipelago the very condition for Mauritian sovereignty and independence.
‘Masters who made Chagossians leave Diego Garcia – the biggest island of this archipelago – for the sake of building their military base there.
‘The Soviet Union and Russia as its successor have always been supporting Mauritius.
‘Since the very beginning we have been providing medical assistance and education and building a fledgling Mauritian nation together.
‘We supported Mauritius in the UN General Assembly vote on Chagos because we strongly oppose colonialism and fully believe that sovereignty of all African nations is our priority as a founding member of the United Nations.
‘Russia believes justice and respect for human rights to be the essential part of modern civilisation.
‘Russia fully supports Mauritian ambition to become a digital and infrastructural hub and a bridge between Africa and Asia.
‘We supported Mauritius back in 1968 and we are ready to do it now.’
Senior Tory MP Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said: ‘This is another reminder that Keir Starmer’s Chagos surrender deal seriously undermines our national security and that of our allies.
‘That is why Russia, as well as Iran and China, welcome it.
‘These countries wish harm on us, and that is why they want Britain to hand over sovereign territory and £35billion of taxpayers’ money to Mauritius, where their axis of authoritarianism holds influence.’
Mr Trump has recently blasted Sir Keir’s deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
It came as the US President fumed at the PM’s initial refusal to allow America to use the Diego Garcia base to launch strikes on Iran.
Sir Keir later relented and allowed US jets to take ‘defensive’ action against Tehran from Diego Garcia.
The fate of his Chagos deal remains uncertain in the wake of Mr Trump’s criticism, with Parliament still yet to give its final approval to legislation enacting the handover.
