The deal allows Mauritius to claim authority over the islands while granting the US and UK permission to continue using the military facility at Diego Garcia. Legal hurdles nearly blocked the agreement, but after overcoming last-minute challenges, Starmer emphasized the need for security amid rising international tensions. Critics, particularly from the Conservative party, have raised alarms about the implications for UK's strategic posture, especially regarding China, while some members of the Chagossian community express dissatisfaction over being excluded from discussions about their homeland's future.

The agreement will officially take effect once ratified by both the UK and Mauritian parliaments, marking a significant step in the ongoing discourse surrounding territorial sovereignty and the historical context of the Chagos Islands.