Trump Backs UK Plan to Transfer Chagos Islands Amid Strategic Concerns

President Donald Trump has expressed support for Britain’s plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a move that has sparked debate over its geopolitical implications.

Sitting alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump signaled his willingness to back the agreement. The deal includes a 99-year lease that ensures continued US-UK control over Diego Garcia.

This island is the archipelago’s largest and serves as the location for a critical military base. “I have a feeling it’s going to work out very well,” Trump remarked, adding that he was “inclined to go along” with Britain’s proposal.

However, this stance has drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers and British allies. They are concerned about China’s growing influence in Mauritius, a country with close ties to Beijing.

Diego Garcia, located in the Indian Ocean, serves as a vital US-UK military hub, enabling operations across the Middle East, East Africa, and South Asia. The base supports long-range bombers, naval vessels, and intelligence tracking systems.

It has been instrumental in major US military campaigns, including airstrikes in Afghanistan and Iraq. Its strategic location allows the US to monitor critical shipping lanes and counter China’s expanding presence in the region.

The Chagos Islands Sovereignty Transfer

The Chagos Islands were separated from Mauritius by Britain in 1965 during decolonization efforts. They were then leased to the US for military purposes. This arrangement displaced over 1,500 Chagossians, sparking decades of legal and human rights disputes.

In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that Britain’s administration of the islands was illegal—a decision supported by the United Nations. Despite this, the UK retained control until October 2024, when it agreed to transfer sovereignty. At the same time, it secured Diego Garcia’s future under a long-term lease.

Critics argue that Mauritius’ ties with China could pose risks to Western security interests. They warn that Beijing gaining influence near Diego Garcia could jeopardize regional stability. However, proponents of the deal emphasize that formalizing Mauritius’ sovereignty strengthens international legitimacy.

This, in turn, supports US-UK operations on the island. As global tensions with China rise, Diego Garcia remains indispensable for projecting Western power in contested regions.

The agreement represents a delicate balancing act between addressing historical grievances and safeguarding one of America’s most strategically significant military assets. This will ensure its importance for decades to come.