An advocacy group warned that ceding the territory would ‘play into the hands’ of Britain’s adversaries, while a prominent think tank warned against the move.
A Conservative MP has spoken out against potential plans to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base, to Mauritius, a move he sees as aligning with China’s interests.
The Chagos Archipelago, located in the central Indian Ocean, comprises over a thousand islands, with Diego Garcia hosting a vital U.S.–UK joint military facility. The UK has leased use of the base to the United States until 2036.
Speaking exclusively to The Epoch Times, Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury, emphasised perceived geopolitical risks and advocated for a democratic process involving the native Chagossians, accusing the UK government of jeopardising national security.
“This government has behaved appallingly … handing over the British Indian Ocean Territory to a client puppet state of China, Mauritius. If they succeed, they will drive away countries like America, Canada, Norway, Iceland, Britain, and Turkey from the common defence of our continent,” stated Mr. Kawczynski.
In November last…
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