Chagos Islands: UK-US Defence Relationship

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 3:39 pm on 2 December 2024.

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Photo of Luke Pollard Luke Pollard The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence 3:39, 2 December 2024

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his serious question and the way in which he presented it. It is important that we have certainty about the security of the future relationship. That is why the treaty sets out clearly security arrangements for the outer islands that will prevent foreign nations from putting security forces or security apparatus on those islands. The full details will be in the treaty. It is important to note that Mauritius was one of only two African countries that did not join the Chinese belt and road initiative, and maintaining a strong relationship with it—especially in more contested times—is vital. That is what the deal helps to deliver.