UK government and Mauritius are close to finalizing a deal regarding the Chagos Islands, according to Downing Street. The proposed agreement would give Mauritius sovereignty over the islands while allowing the US and UK to continue operating a military base there for an initial period of 99 years, at the expense of British taxpayers.

Sources within the UK government have confirmed that they will not wait for Donald Trump’s approval. Earlier this year, Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the deal would not proceed if Trump objected. In a statement, the Mauritian government confirmed Downing Street’s comments, saying that both countries are “working to finalise this agreement”. The plan to handover control of the Chagos Islands, officially known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, was announced last October after negotiations with then-Mauritian leader Pravind Jugnauth.

However, after the elections, Jugnauth was replaced by current PM Navin Ramgoolam, who expressed concerns about the deal. Progress on the agreement was also delayed following the election of Trump, as negotiators wanted to give the new US administration time to examine the plan. The proposal of handing over the Chagos Islands is not in the UK’s best interest, says Kemi Badenoch. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously warned that the deal posed a “serious threat” to US national security, citing Mauritius’ relationship with China. However, last month Trump indicated support for the deal.

Asked about the proposal during a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer last month, Trump said: “We will have discussions about that soon, and I have a feeling it will turn out well. “They are talking about a long-term, powerful lease, a strong lease, about 140 years. “That’s a long time, and I think we will be inclined to support your country.” The agreement is expected to allow the UK to lease Diego Garcia for 99 years.

The Conservative Party has heavily criticized the deal, with leader Kemi Badenoch arguing that it is not in the national interest to give away the islands and pay for the privilege. There have been reports that the deal could cost the UK government up to £18bn, a figure the Foreign Office has called “inaccurate and misleading”.

The government has not yet provided a cost estimate for the deal, but Sir Keir has promised to inform MPs of the details once the agreement is finalized. He defended the agreement, calling it “extremely important for our security”. Mauritius claims that it was forced to give away the Chagos Islands as part of a deal to gain independence from Britain in the 1960s. In recent years, the UK has faced increasing pressure from United Nations bodies to return the islands. In 2022, the previous Conservative government initiated negotiations over the territory’s sovereignty.