Committee publication · Correspondence · 16 June 2026
Correspondence with the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories relating to Chagos, dated 12 June and 27 May 2026
Summary
Minister Stephen Doughty's letter to Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Emily Thornberry dated 12 June 2026 addresses concerns about the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill (BIOT). The Government maintains the UK-Mauritius Treaty on Chagos safeguards long-term UK-US defence interests, reports Five Eyes support and US agreement across two administrations, and confirms engagement with Chagossian communities including a £40 million Trust Fund and regular Chagossian Contact Group meetings.
Key findings
- Government states the UK-Mauritius Treaty has received support from all Five Eyes allies and the US under two separate Presidential Administrations, with US Government contentment essential before ratification
- Diego Garcia base continues operating under current terms pending treaty ratification; no funding has been transferred to Mauritius as the treaty remains unratified
- £1,482,396 of UK ODA funding was allocated to Mauritius in FY 2025/26 under a separate Strategic Partnership Framework signed May 2025, supporting maritime/aviation security, climate change, and law enforcement
- Treaty includes provisions for a £40 million Trust Fund administered 'for Chagossians and by Chagossians' and opportunity for Mauritius to develop resettlement programme on non-Diego Garcia islands
- FCDO has conducted five Contact Group meetings with Chagossian representatives since creation and five ministerial meetings with Chagossian groups since September 2024
Government position
Accepts that the UK-Mauritius Treaty is the best approach to protect long-term defence and security interests. Government maintains the agreement meets all UK and US security requirements, has secured necessary international support, and will not proceed to ratification without US Government approval. Affirms commitment to Chagossian engagement through established Contact Group and ministerial meetings, and confirms no treaty funds transferred pending ratification.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Stephen Doughty MP, Dame Emily Thornberry DBE MP, US Government, Mauritius Government, Chagossian community, Five Eyes allies
Notable line
“The base on Diego Garcia is vital to that. The Government remains confident that the agreement with Mauritius is the best way to safeguard the long-term future of the base.”
Key Quotes
“The base on Diego Garcia is vital to that. The Government remains confident that the agreement with Mauritius is the best way to safeguard the long-term future of the base.”
“We worked in lockstep with the US while drafting and developing the treaty to ensure that it meets all UK and US security re quirements.”
“We have always been clear that the US Government must be content with the agreement before we proceed with ratifying the treaty.”
“No funding has been transferred to the Government of Mauritius under the terms of the Treaty, as it has not yet been ratified.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗