UK Halts Chagos Agreement Amid Trump’s Resistance
The UK government has paused its plan to transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following growing tensions with Donald Trump. The U.S. president’s recent criticism of the treaty, which had previously received his endorsement, has prompted a delay in finalizing the deal. Officials stated they are not completely abandoning the agreement but have exhausted time to secure parliamentary approval before the upcoming dissolution of the legislature.
While a new Chagos bill is unlikely to be announced in the King’s Speech this spring, the UK has yet to receive formal confirmation from the U.S. The exchange of letters, a legal requirement for treaty enactment, remains pending. The Chagos Islands, officially termed the British Indian Ocean Territory, have been under British administration since the early 1800s. The proposed agreement would cede sovereignty to Mauritius while allowing the UK to lease the Diego Garcia military base for an average annual cost of £101 million.
Strategic Importance and Political Stance
A government representative emphasized that Diego Garcia is essential for the UK and U.S. military alliance. They argued that the deal safeguards the base’s operational security, stating,
“Ensuring its long-term operational security is and will continue to be our priority—it is the entire reason for the deal.”
Despite the delay, the spokesperson reaffirmed the UK’s belief in the agreement, noting,
“We would only proceed with the deal if it has U.S. support.”
Legislative Process and Timeline
The Chagos Islands agreement had been in the final stages of parliamentary approval. However, officials confirmed the process has paused, contradicting earlier claims that the deal was still active. The treaty was initially signed in May 2025 and praised by the U.S., but Trump’s early 2026 remarks shifted its trajectory. He criticized the deal as an “act of total weakness” and urged Starmer to abandon it, calling it “a blight on our great ally.”
During February, Trump’s stance created further uncertainty. His social media post urging Starmer to “not give away Diego Garcia” came just hours after the U.S. State Department had endorsed the UK’s plan. Meanwhile, Chagossians view the deal as a betrayal, advocating for the UK to maintain control so they can reclaim their homeland. Both the Conservatives and Reform UK have expressed support for the shelving of the agreement, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claiming,
“If Keir Starmer’s Chagos surrender now finds its rightful place on the ash heap of history, it will be because Conservatives led the fight against it from day one.”
Reform UK’s Nigel Farage welcomed the delay, stating,
“This is great news and long overdue. Now the government must right a terrible wrong and help the Chagossians to fully resettle their home.”
The Liberal Democrats criticized the handling of the deal, asserting,
“The Chagos deal has been totally shambolic—from its start under the Tories to this point under Labour.”
They highlighted the need for clarity on the U.S. military partnership, Chagossian rights, and transparency regarding the financial commitments involved.
