India and Mauritius agreed on setting up a satellite tracking station near the US-UK strategic base Diego Garcia on the Chagos Islands ahead of Sir Keir Starmer’s recent trip to Mumbai, it has been revealed.

The facility will allow India to track and receive data from satellites, while also serving as a strategic asset for monitoring the region.

According to India’s The Economic Times, the agreement between India and Mauritius is one of cooperation where the pair will establish a telemetry, tracking and telecommunications station for satellites and launch vehicles.

It is also about cooperating in the fields of space research, science with the application signed during Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam’s visit to India.

Guido Fawkes reported that the deal includes hydrographic work in the Chagos Marine Protected Area – the waters around Diego Garcia – which the Prime Minister signed over to Mauritius.

Following the signing of the deal, Mr Ramgoolam said: “We want to visit the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia, to plant our flag”.

“The British offered us a vessel,” he added.

“But we said we preferred one from India because, symbolically, it would be more meaningful.”

A senior UK defence official said: “Starmer’s political deal has opened the door for Mauritius to carve up Chagos.

“And allow the Indians to bring a satellite station in almost immediately.

“I need not remind you what side India has generally been taking in Russia-Ukraine.”

The BBC reported that Ukraine had captured an Indian national allegedly fighting for Russian forces.

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Sahil Majothi, 22, from the Indian state of Gujarat, was studying computer engineering in Russia before his mother claimed he was falsely accused in a drug case last April.

He joined the Russian army to avoid imprisonment over drug charges, according to a video released by Ukraine’s army on Tuesday.

Sir Keir was in India last week for a trade mission.

India has been a long-term supporter of Mauritius sovereignty over Chagos.

The Chagos treaty, signed by Sir Keir, allowed London to retain Diego Garcia for defence use.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the deal a “historic milestone”.

He added that India had always supported decolonisation and stood firmly with Mauritius in claiming its sovereignty.

“India has always stood firmly with Mauritius in this journey,” Mr Modi added.

Mr Ramgoolam thanked India for its support.

He said his Government wanted to mark the moment alongside India.

India’s Foreign secretary Vikram Misri added that Mauritius had greater responsibilities in its expanded Exclusive Economic Zone.

“It needs maritime resources, and to be able to fully develop and exploit those resources, it will need assistance, and India is a preferred partner in providing that assistance,” Mr Misri said.