UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated he wants to recast the agreement to cede control of the Chagos Islands after encountering resistance from Washington. The original deal has stalled following opposition from US President Donald Trump, prompting the British government to seek a new arrangement modeled on America’s Greenland pact with Denmark.
Chagos Deal and US Resistance
Speaking to the Economist, Burnham expressed a desire for a fresh discussion with the US over the disputed islands, which house the strategic Diego Garcia military base. The initial agreement, negotiated by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, would have transferred sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while maintaining the joint UK-US military base through a 99-year lease.
The agreement was placed in uncertainty when Trump voiced his opposition during a bilateral meeting in New York, calling it a terrible deal. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting subsequently confirmed that the British government had suspended payments to Mauritius while both nations worked toward a compromise.
Burnham told the Economist that discussions were underway with US counterparts to adapt the arrangement to address American concerns. He suggested looking at the Greenland deal as a potential solution for Diego Garcia, acknowledging that the process remains challenging.
Diplomacy and Upcoming Plans
Burnham made the remarks on his return from the Commonwealth heads of government summit in Antigua, where Caribbean nations demanded reparations for slavery. Burnham maintained that his administration had advanced the issue by opening the possibility of a government apology.
Looking ahead, Burnham announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be barred from the G20 meeting in Manchester next year due to international sanctions, while Chinese President Xi Jinping will be welcome to attend. Additionally, the prime minister is preparing for an upcoming EU summit in Brussels to discuss the UK’s long-term relationship with the bloc.
Burnham is also finalizing his comprehensive 10-year plan detailing long-term structural changes for the UK, noting that the release may be pushed back to December or January.
