U.S. Applauds UK-Mauritius Deal For Diego Garcia Military Base

The United States has applauded a landmark deal between the United Kingdom and Mauritius that secured its continued use of Diego Garcia, a vital British and American joint military outpost in the Indian Ocean. This significant agreement addresses the future of the strategic atoll, which has been a focal point of military operations for decades. The announcement, made on Thursday, outlines a "historic political agreement" to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, ending London's administration of what it currently calls the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands, is strategically located about 1,300 miles northeast of Mauritius' capital, Port Louis. For over fifty years, it has served as a crucial staging area for significant military missions in the Middle East, including the Gulf and Iraq Wars. The recent agreement allows the UK to exercise sovereign rights over Diego Garcia for an initial period of 99 years, ensuring the continued operation of the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, which is vital for both U.S. and British military forces.

U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of this deal, stating that it demonstrates a shared commitment to regional stability and provides rapid responses to crises. The deal is expected to secure the facility's effective operation well into the next century. Additionally, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin highlighted its role in safeguarding British and American security interests in the Indo-Pacific region, calling it a significant win for diplomacy.

The importance of the Indian Ocean region has intensified due to China's growing economic and military presence, which poses a challenge to the U.S. and its allies. With the UK-Mauritius deal, there are concerns regarding potential geopolitical shifts, especially regarding China's influence in the region. Critics, including members of the opposition Conservative Party in the UK, have raised alarms about the implications of this agreement, suggesting that it could provide China with opportunities to establish a military foothold in the Indian Ocean.

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