The United Kingdom has defended its decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, a strategically significant archipelago in the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius, following sharp criticism from former US President Donald Trump, who labeled the deal “an act of GREAT STUPIDITY.”
The Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia, host a critical UK-US military base supporting operations across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The May 2025 agreement—still awaiting ratification by the UK Parliament—would return sovereignty to Mauritius while maintaining UK and US defence responsibilities on Diego Garcia under a 99-year lease, with an option to extend for an additional 40 years. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the lease would cost the UK roughly £101 million annually but emphasized that it ensures the base’s long-term operation.
Government officials stress the move is driven by legal and security considerations rather than political preference. International court rulings had increasingly challenged Britain’s claim to the islands, creating potential legal risks that could have disrupted military operations. Officials argue the agreement safeguards the future of Diego Garcia and protects broader UK and allied security interests.
The deal has reignited political divisions within the UK. Opposition leaders, including Conservative Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK’s Nigel Farage, echoed Trump’s criticism, arguing that the handover undermines British sovereignty. Labour figures dismissed Trump’s remarks as provocative, noting that the agreement contains guarantees preserving both national and allied security.
Internationally, the UK highlights that the agreement has been welcomed by key allies, including the United States, Australia, and other Five Eyes partners. Mauritius, which has long claimed the islands as part of its decolonisation process, has not publicly responded to Trump’s latest comments.
As tensions persist, the Chagos Islands agreement has become a sensitive barometer of UK-US relations. While the British government maintains that the deal is the only practical way to secure long-term regional stability and military readiness, Trump’s intervention ensures the issue remains a focus of political and public debate.
Source: BBC
