Part 7/11:
Meanwhile, the US relies heavily on its lease of Diego Garcia, secured in 1966. The UK granted the US a 99-year lease for £3.4 billion (approximately $4.2 billion), giving the U.S. military unfettered access to the base. The lease includes provisions that allow the UK to veto construction near the base and extend the lease further.
However, there’s a critical weakness: the lease terms stipulate that if the British government misses a payment, the lease could be terminated. Given the financial dependency of the UK and potential Chinese influence—especially considering China's economic ties with Mauritius and the region—there is a substantial risk that missed payments could occur, ending the lease prematurely.