The fate of the Chagos Islands, a remote Indian Ocean archipelago, hangs in the balance as the UK and US review a deal to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius. The islands, home to a strategic UK-US military base, have been under British control since 1814. The base on Diego Garcia, the largest island, supports US military operations in the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa.
The Chagos Islands have been a point of contention since the UK split them from Mauritius in 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence. The UK evicted around 2,000 people from the islands in the 1960s and 1970s to make way for the US military base. The UN and International Court of Justice have urged the UK to end its "colonial administration" of the islands and transfer sovereignty to Mauritius.
In May 2025, the UK and Mauritius signed an agreement for the UK to pay Mauritius at least £120 million ($159 million) annually to lease back Diego Garcia for 99 years. The deal was welcomed by the US, but President Trump criticised it in January, calling it a "terrible deal" and an act of "GREAT STUPIDITY". Trump's comments effectively killed the deal, and UK legislation to ratify the agreement lapsed.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said officials are reviewing the pact, stating that they "can't go ahead without American support". Streeting's comments followed a meeting between UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Trump reiterated his opposition to the deal, but Burnham expressed confidence that the UK can work out an agreement with the US.
The UK's Conservative Party defence spokesperson, James Cartlidge, urged Burnham to scrap the deal and allocate the funds to UK troops instead. Cartlidge argued that the deal should be abandoned entirely, citing concerns over UK defence.
The Chagos Islands have played a significant role in US military operations, including in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The base on Diego Garcia has also been used for clandestine rendition flights of terror suspects. In March, the UK condemned Iran for launching missiles at the base, which is around 2,500 miles from Tehran.
The uncertainty surrounding the deal has raised questions about the future of the Chagos Islands and the strategic military base. The UK, US, and Mauritius must now navigate a way forward that addresses the concerns of all parties involved.
Key points
- The UK-US military base on Diego Garcia is a key factor in the dispute over the Chagos Islands.
- President Trump's criticism of the deal has put the agreement on hold.
- The UK and Mauritius signed a 99-year lease agreement for the UK to use Diego Garcia.
