Britain has signed an agreement with Mauritius ceding sovereignty over the Chagos Islands

The agreement allows Mauritius to gain sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, while the UK and the US will continue to operate a military base on Diego Garcia. The British prime minister says the agreement is essential for national security, despite criticism from conservatives who see it as weakening the UK's position vis-à-vis China. The UK bought the islands in 1968 and the controversy has been heightened by the eviction of local citizens to facilitate the military base.