UK to Rework Chagos Islands Deal After Trump Rejects Current Agreement
Britain is set to revisit a proposed agreement that would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after US President Donald Trump voiced opposition to the deal in its current form.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Trump’s comments had made Washington’s position clear and that Britain would work with the US administration to revise the agreement.
The deal, negotiated under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, would give Mauritius sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago while allowing Britain to maintain control of the strategically important UK-US military facility on Diego Garcia through a 99-year lease.
The agreement has yet to complete the required parliamentary process and has been placed on hold following Trump’s objections.
Streeting said US backing was essential because of Diego Garcia’s importance to the security interests of both countries.
Mauritius has disputed British control of the islands for decades. Britain separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius in 1965, shortly before Mauritius gained independence.
In 2019, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that the UK should end its administration of the archipelago as quickly as possible.
The British government is not expected to launch a formal review with a set timetable, but officials say any revised agreement would need to address US concerns while securing the future of the Diego Garcia base.
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