Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has received representations from his US counterpart on the proposed transfer of sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius.

The Secretary of State for Defence speaks regularly with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on a wide range of security issues, including the long-term, secure and effective operation of the base on Diego Garcia. We welcome US support of the UK proceeding with the proposed treaty with Mauritius, as well as the President's recognition of the strength of the deal.