Quickpost | London |20 January
The UK government has firmly defended its controversial agreement to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after former US president Donald Trump described the move as an “act of GREAT STUPIDITY”.
Under the proposed deal—yet to be ratified by parliament—the UK would formally transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while retaining control of the strategically critical Diego Garcia military base through a 99-year lease, with an option to extend it by a further 40 years.
UK: Deal Protects Key Military Base
Downing Street said the agreement is designed to secure the long-term future of the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, arguing that Britain’s legal position had been weakened by a series of international court rulings.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“Our position hasn’t changed on Diego Garcia or on the treaty that’s been signed. The US supports the deal, and all our Five Eyes allies understand the national security importance of the base.”
The UK government says the agreement resolves decades-long legal disputes while preserving one of the most important Western military installations in the Indian Ocean.
Trump Links Chagos Deal to Greenland Threats
In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticised the UK for planning to “give away” Diego Garcia, calling it “the site of a vital US Military Base”.
“Shockingly, our ‘brilliant’ NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia… FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER,” Trump wrote.
Trump has cited the Chagos decision as part of his justification for arguing that the US should seek control of Greenland, claiming Western allies are undermining strategic security interests.
US Position Appears Divided
Despite Trump’s remarks, the current US administration has previously backed the deal. In May, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the agreement as a “monumental achievement” that safeguarded American strategic interests.
UK officials stressed that US military access to Diego Garcia would remain unchanged under the lease arrangement.
Why Diego Garcia Matters
Diego Garcia has been central to US and UK military operations for decades:
- Used as a launch and refuelling base during the War on Terror after 9/11
- Played a key role in US-UK operations during the Iraq War
- Hosted the US Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort
- In 2025, satellite imagery showed US bombers deployed there amid strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and tensions with Iran
The base’s secrecy and reach make it one of the most strategically valuable locations in the Indian Ocean.
Cost and Controversy
Prime Minister Starmer has confirmed the lease would cost the UK around £101 million per year, a figure analysed by BBC Verify. Critics question the long-term financial and political implications, while many Chagossians living in the UK oppose the deal, arguing it fails to guarantee their right of return.
What Happens Next
The treaty still requires ratification, and political pressure is mounting both domestically and internationally. While the UK insists the agreement strengthens security and resolves legal uncertainty, Trump’s intervention has reignited debate over sovereignty, military strategy, and Britain’s post-Brexit global role.
For now, the Chagos Islands have become the latest flashpoint in a wider dispute over territory, alliances, and power politics.
Sources:
