In a significant diplomatic shift, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has agreed to return the Chagos Islands, the UK's last African colony, to Mauritius. This decision, announced on October 5, 2024, comes despite warnings from the United States regarding potential threats to military operations in the region. Under the terms of the agreement, the UK will retain sovereignty over Diego Garcia, a strategically important military base, for an additional 99 years. David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, emphasized that the deal secures the future of the US military presence on the island while also addressing long-standing issues of colonial legacy. The agreement marks a pivotal moment in UK-Mauritius relations and highlights the complexities of international diplomacy, particularly in light of US concerns about the implications for military operations in the Indian Ocean. Starmer's administration faces the challenge of balancing international relations with domestic expectations, as this decision may stir debate within the UK regarding its colonial past and future foreign policy direction. [ef2360f6][df309cb3][4b98a115][fde26485][51701e5e]