The United Kingdom has suspended its plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, citing the need for continued US support for the joint military base on Diego Garcia.
The agreement, signed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer last year, would have handed control of the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius while allowing the United States and United Kingdom to retain their military presence on Diego Garcia for an initial 99-year period. However, US President Donald Trump described the arrangement as a “big mistake” in February, prompting the UK to pause the handover.
A UK government spokesperson stated that while officials still believe the agreement offers the best path to secure the long-term future of the base, they will only proceed with US backing. “Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the UK and the US,” the spokesperson said. “We have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has US support. We are continuing to engage with the US and Mauritius.”
The development comes amid domestic political opposition in the UK from the Conservative Party and the Reform Party. Mauritius has confirmed it will hold talks with UK officials on April 22 to discuss the matter.
The Chagos Islands were separated from Mauritius in 1965, three years before Mauritian independence, in exchange for £3 million in compensation. The following year, the UK leased Diego Garcia to the US for 50 years, reportedly in return for a $14 million discount on Polaris ballistic missile submarines. The base, equipped with a runway, supports naval vessels and long-range bombers.
The Maldives has also entered the diplomatic dispute, stating in March that it does not recognize the UK-Mauritius deal and welcoming the decision to pause the transfer. Maldivian officials claim historical rights to the archipelago.
The suspension underscores the complex geopolitical and historical factors at play in the future of the Chagos Islands, with sovereignty, strategic military interests, and regional claims all influencing the ongoing negotiations.
