Sovereignty on Hold
The United Kingdom has paused its plan to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a move influenced by opposition from United States President Donald Trump. The archipelago is home to the Diego Garcia airbase, a joint US-British military installation. A British government spokesperson confirmed they would only proceed with the deal if it has US support.
The Proposed Agreement
Last May, the UK and Mauritius jointly announced an agreement to return full sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which lies approximately 1,200 miles from the archipelago. As part of the arrangement, Britain would lease Diego Garcia back from Mauritius on a 99-year lease to preserve US operations there.
Trump's Shifting Stance
Trump called the deal an "act of great stupidity" in January. After a February call with Starmer he said the PM had made the "best deal he could make", but weeks later returned to Truth Social to call the handover "a blight on our Great Ally".
Strategic Importance
Diego Garcia holds significant strategic value for both the UK and the US. The Diego Garcia base has played a key role in US military operations in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. A British government spokesperson emphasized that ensuring the long-term operational security of Diego Garcia remains a priority.
Diplomatic Efforts
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office said London would try to persuade Washington to give its formal approval. The UK government spokesperson said that the UK "continue[s] to believe the agreement is the best way to protect the long-term future of the base".
Regional Implications
The UK is currently leading a coalition of more than 30 countries to protect vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, without US participation in the initial talks.
The sources also report that relations between United States President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have been strained by the US-Israel war on Iran.
Historical Context
Britain has controlled the Chagos Islands since 1814, even after Mauritius gained independence in the 1960s. Chagossians – thousands of whom were forcibly evicted to make way for the base – have brought compensation claims to British courts, culminating in an International Court of Justice recommendation that the archipelago be returned to Mauritius.
The sources also report that Chagossians have brought compensation claims to British courts, culminating in a 2019 International Court of Justice recommendation that the archipelago be returned to Mauritius.
Future Discussions
The UK government spokesperson stated, "We are continuing to engage with the US and Mauritius." The planned legislation underpinning the deal to cede the islands to Mauritius would not be included in the government's next parliamentary agenda, pending further discussions.
For example, the summary omits that the Chagos Islands are approximately 2,000 kilometers from Mauritius, which is about 1,200 miles.