UK Government to Proceed with Chagos Islands Sovereignty Transfer to Mauritius
The UK government has announced it will press ahead with plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, despite recent criticism from former US President Donald Trump. The decision follows a £3.4 billion agreement signed between the two nations, which includes provisions for the continued operation of the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base.
Trump's Unexpected Intervention
Donald Trump has publicly condemned the planned transfer, describing it as an "act of great stupidity" and suggesting it demonstrates "total weakness" by the United Kingdom. In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, the former president linked his criticism to broader geopolitical concerns, particularly regarding Chinese and Russian influence in the region.
Trump wrote: "Shockingly, our 'brilliant' Nato Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital US Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER." He further claimed that "China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness" and that the UK's actions represent "another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired."
Government's Firm Stance on the Agreement
Despite Trump's remarks, Downing Street has maintained that the United States continues to support the agreement. The Prime Minister's official spokesperson stated: "Our position remains unchanged. This deal secures the operations of the joint US-UK base for generations. It has robust provisions for keeping its unique capabilities intact and our adversaries out. It has been publicly welcomed by the US."
The spokesperson emphasised the base's importance to national security, noting: "As the world grows more dangerous, so too does the importance of the base for our national security. It's one of the most significant contributions to the UK and US intelligence and security relationship, and almost every operation from the base is in partnership with the US."
Political Reactions and Opposition
Trump's comments have added fuel to existing criticism from Conservative and Reform UK politicians. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the transfer as "not just an act of stupidity, but of complete self sabotage" and agreed with Trump's assessment. She stated: "Keir Starmer's plan to give away the Chagos Islands is a terrible policy that weakens UK security and hands away our sovereign territory."
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage welcomed Trump's intervention, saying: "Thank goodness Trump has vetoed the surrender of the Chagos islands." However, government ministers have dismissed suggestions that Trump's remarks will affect the deal's implementation.
Details of the Sovereignty Transfer Agreement
The agreement involves the UK ceding sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing Diego Garcia, the largest island, for 99 years to maintain the joint US-UK military facility. This arrangement is intended to provide a firm legal basis for the base's continued operation, following a 2021 UN court advisory opinion that the UK did not have rightful sovereignty over the archipelago.
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, explained: "We've done a deal with the Mauritian government, we've legislated for the process, we've agreed the terms of the treaty, which has been signed. This is the way in which to secure that military base for the next 100 years."
Welfare Secretary Pat McFadden suggested Trump's criticism was more about his frustrations regarding Greenland than genuine concern about the Chagos Islands. He told broadcasters: "I don't really believe this is about Chagos, I think it's about Greenland, and the best way to resolve that is through dialogue with the Danish government."
Strategic Importance and International Support
The Diego Garcia base is considered a critical asset for regional and global security, with the UK government describing the transfer agreement as a "legal necessity" backed by the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing partnership. When the agreement was announced in May 2025, then-US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed it as "historic" and noted that President Trump had expressed support during Prime Minister Starmer's White House visit.
Despite this historical support, the deal faces significant opposition in the House of Lords, where critics argue it could provide China with an opening in the region due to Mauritius's close relations with Beijing. These concerns mirror Trump's regularly cited fears about Chinese influence, which he has used to justify his interest in acquiring Greenland.
The UK government remains committed to implementing the agreement, viewing it as essential for maintaining the strategic military presence in the Indian Ocean while addressing historical sovereignty issues through diplomatic means.
