Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are their specific reasons for planning to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius; and what assessment they have made of China’s intentions for the Chagos Islands given their relationship with Mauritius.

The UK and Mauritius have reiterated that any agreement between our two countries will ensure the continued effective operation of the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a vital role in regional and global security. The UK will only enter into an agreement that protects our national interests and those of our partners, including from any malign actors in the Indian Ocean.