In a significant diplomatic shift, former US President Donald Trump has endorsed the United Kingdom’s plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, according to an announcement by Downing Street. The agreement, which includes a £9 billion financial package and a long-term lease arrangement for a critical US military base, marks a pivotal moment in a decades-long territorial dispute. The decision follows months of speculation over whether Trump would oppose the deal, given its geopolitical implications. With his approval, negotiations now shift to finalizing terms between the UK and Mauritius, effectively sidelining earlier concerns from British and American critics who argued the move could weaken Western security interests in the Indian Ocean.
Central to the agreement is Diego Garcia, a strategic US airbase located within the archipelago that has served as a linchpin for American military operations in the region since the Cold War. Under the proposed terms, the UK will retain control of Diego Garcia through a 99-year lease, renewable for an additional four decades, while Mauritius assumes formal sovereignty. The arrangement aims to balance international legal pressures—stemming from a 2019 International Court of Justice ruling deeming British control “unlawful”—with the Pentagon’s operational needs. Republican lawmakers had previously voiced skepticism about ceding influence over such a vital asset, but Trump’s recent remarks during a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signaled alignment. “We’re inclined to go along with your country,” Trump stated, emphasizing confidence in the deal’s viability.
Political tensions have simmered since Labour first unveiled the plan last October, drawing sharp backlash from Conservative leaders and national security hawks. Critics argue that relinquishing the islands undermines British sovereignty and risks destabilizing a key node in global defense networks. However, Starmer’s administration has framed the agreement as a necessary compromise to uphold international law and secure the future of Diego Garcia. The deal faced further complications when Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, a key architect of the negotiations, lost reelection earlier this year. Despite delays, Downing Street confirmed that talks are back on track, with the UK pledging approximately £90 million annually to Mauritius to maintain military access—a figure critics deride as excessive.
The Chagos Islands’ history adds layers of complexity to the dispute. Between 1968 and 1973, the UK forcibly displaced over 1,500 Chagossians to accommodate the Diego Garcia base, a move widely condemned as a human rights violation. While the UK has since expressed regret, efforts to resettle former residents have stalled, leaving many in legal limbo. Labour officials argue that formalizing Mauritian sovereignty could pave the way for reparations and resettlement programs, aligning with broader efforts to address colonial-era injustices. Yet skeptics question whether Mauritius, a nation with limited resources, can equitably manage the archipelago’s future while balancing US and UK military interests.
As negotiations enter their final stages, the agreement’s long-term ramifications remain uncertain. Advocates hail it as a step toward postcolonial reconciliation and legal compliance, while detractors warn of unintended consequences for global security. For now, Trump’s endorsement has eased one major hurdle, but the deal’s success hinges on meticulous diplomacy—and whether the UK can reconcile its historical obligations with 21st-century strategic realities. The world will be watching as this remote archipelago, once a footnote of empire, becomes a litmus test for international justice and power dynamics in an increasingly contested region.