UK Pauses Chagos Islands Handover Amid US Opposition
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The United Kingdom has halted its plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The United Kingdom has paused its plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump. The Chagos Archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean, includes Diego Garcia, a strategic military base jointly operated by the UK and the US.
Initially, the UK and Mauritius agreed on a deal where Britain would cede the islands while securing a 99-year lease to maintain control over Diego Garcia. However, President Trump, who had initially supported the agreement, later described the transfer as "an act of great stupidity" and urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reconsider.
A UK government spokesperson stated, "Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the UK and the US. Ensuring its long-term operational security is and will continue to be our priority."
Due to the lack of US support, the UK government acknowledged that there is insufficient time in the current parliamentary session to pass the necessary legislation for the handover. Consequently, the bill is not expected to be included in the upcoming legislative agenda.
The Chagos Islands have been under British control since the 1960s. In 2019, the International Court of Justice recommended that the UK return the islands to Mauritius. Despite this, the UK has maintained control, citing strategic military interests.
The future of the Chagos Islands remains uncertain as the UK continues to engage with both the US and Mauritius to determine the best course of action.