Diplomatic tensions with Washington were growing last night after Britain was poised to surrender a UK-owned territory to a close ally of China – even though the island hosts a highly sensitive Anglo-American military base. Diego Garcia, which was first claimed by the UK in 1814, is likely to be handed to Mauritius as part of a transfer of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, which comprises some 60 islands in the Chagos Archipelago. The Mail on Sunday understands the White House has expressed ‘serious concerns’ about the plans due to the concentration of military hardware at the Naval Support Facility on the island, which has been called ‘the unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean’. The British base, which is leased to the US Navy, is home to some 1,700 military personnel and 1,500 civilian contractors, and includes port facilities, an airstrip capable of handling large aircraft, a support structure for submarine fleets, a sophisticated radar nerve centre and US Space Operations Command. The Pentagon fears Beijing is looking for a similar military foothold in the region and even possibly on Diego Garcia. Diego Garcia (pictured) is likely to be handed to Mauritius as part of a sovereignty… Read full this story
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