Diplomatic tensions with Washington escalated last night after Britain was about to hand over a British-owned territory to a close China ally — even though the island is home to a highly sensitive Anglo-American military base.
First claimed by the UK in 1814, Diego Garcia is likely to be handed over to Mauritius as part of a transfer of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, which includes some 60 islands in the Chagos Archipelago.
The Mail on Sunday understands that the White House has expressed “serious concerns” over the plans due to the concentration of military equipment at the Naval Support Facility on the island, which has been dubbed “the unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean.”
The British base, leased to the US Navy, is home to some 1,700 military personnel and 1,500 civilian contractors, and includes port facilities, an airstrip capable of handling large aircraft, a submarine fleet support structure, an advanced radar nerve center and Space Command of The United States.
The Pentagon fears that Beijing is seeking a similar military foothold in the region and possibly even on Diego Garcia.
Diego Garcia (pictured) is likely to be handed over to Mauritius as part of a sovereignty transfer
Washington is increasingly concerned about the growing relationship between Mauritius and China. The two countries have already signed a free trade agreement as part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative on its way to economic dominance.
News of the rising tensions came as world leaders yesterday warned China to stop its “malicious practices” and begin “playing by the rules.”
In a strongly worded statement, G7 leaders, including Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron, told China they would no longer tolerate its “economic coercion” and military expansionism.
The leaders stated that while they are ready to build “constructive and stable relations with China,” that can only happen if the communist superpower “plays by international rules.”
Concern over Beijing’s rise has been a major theme of the summit, as has the recent clatter of arms towards Taiwan.
Last night senior Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith urged the government to draw up a new agreement with Mauritius to resolve the ‘strategic mess’ surrounding Diego Garcia.
He told The Mail on Sunday: “The UK and US need to get Mauritius on our side, not China. And that must happen now.
“The government cannot withdraw there. They need to come up with another deal with Mauritius that will be more expensive but strategically critical.”
The Mail on Sunday understands that the White House has expressed “serious concerns” about the plans due to the concentration of military equipment at the Naval Support Facility on the island.
The British base, which is leased to the US Navy, is home to some 1,700 military personnel and 1,500 civilian contractors
Last night, a senior government source acknowledged that the US had raised concerns about the move, which is a result of international political and legal pressure.
However, they added, “We are in constant contact with the Americans about this.”
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has been instructed by No 10 to try to allay American concerns. One option is for the UK to take out a 99-year lease on the islands after sovereignty is transferred – similar to the arrangement London agreed with Beijing in 1898 over Hong Kong, which was then returned to China in 1997.
The government has previously rejected Mauritius’ claims to the islands and insisted it relinquish sovereignty only when Britain no longer needs the area for defense purposes.
But under international pressure, Secretary of State James Cleverly agreed to broker an agreement backed by international law to “resolve all outstanding issues” while ensuring the effective functioning of the base.
Foreign Office lawyers have advised that an International Court of Justice advisory that the UK should return the islands to Mauritius, which has been approved by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, means that a negotiated settlement should be reached. affected. found it.
A source said: “The legal advice is that we should stop to avoid a lengthy lawsuit, but the Americans have made their serious concerns clear.”
Since 2013, China has been using its Belt and Road Initiative to fund major projects in poor countries around the world – putting them politically and economically indebted to Beijing and sucking them into its sphere of influence.
The UK supports US efforts to counter Chinese economic power, but has been more hesitant than Washington about criticism of Beijing, with China warning ‘doves’ in government about the potential impact on future trade deals.
The Foreign Office said: ‘The UK and Mauritius have engaged in three rounds of constructive negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago.
Last night senior Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith urged the government to draw up a new agreement with Mauritius to resolve the ‘strategic mess’ over Diego Garcia.
The Pentagon fears Beijing is seeking a similar military foothold in the region and possibly even Diego Garcia
“Officials will meet again soon to continue negotiations. The UK and Mauritius have committed to safeguarding the operational effectiveness of the joint British and US military base at Diego Garcia, which plays a vital role for regional and global security.
“The UK and Mauritius are close partners of the Commonwealth and the negotiations also include increasing our cooperation on matters of common interest in the region and more generally.
“It would not be appropriate to discuss this issue or speculate on the outcome while negotiations are ongoing.”