FILE PHOTO: The New prime minister of Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam, poses for a photograph with former Prime Minister and leader of the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM) Paul Berenger after his swearing-in ceremony in Reduit, Mauritius November 13, 2024. REUTERS/Ally Soobye/File Photo
PORT LOUIS (Reuters) - Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said on Friday he has asked for an independent review of a confidential draft agreement with Britain over the future of the Chagos Islands.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday he was confident that the deal to secure the future of a U.S.-British military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia would be ratified.
Starmer wants to finalise an October political agreement that hands Mauritius sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, while securing a 99-year lease on the base.
The deal still needs to be ratified by both sides. Ramgoolam, who won an election this month, has expressed doubts about the agreement. He told parliament on Thursday his new cabinet would be able to consider the outcome of the review.
Britain's foreign ministry and Starmer's Downing Street office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(Reporting by Villen Anganan; Editing by Hereward Holland and Timothy Heritage)
