As of February 12, 2026, the UK plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius while leasing back the Diego Garcia military base to the UK-US. Despite initial US support, former President Trump sharply criticized the deal as "an act of great stupidity," delaying parliamentary ratification amid legal and political challenges. Trump has since softened his stance after talks with UK Prime Minister Starmer but warned of military intervention if US interests are threatened.
The Chagos Islands deal is a rare intersection of post-colonial justice, international law, and global military strategy. While the headline frames it as a sovereignty transfer, the underlying reality is far more complex:
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Geostrategic Importance: Diego Garcia is a linchpin for US and UK military operations across the Indian Ocean, Middle East, and Asia. The base supports logistics, surveillance, and rapid response, making its control a critical security priority.
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Legal and Diplomatic Balancing Act: The UK’s cession of sovereignty to Mauritius addresses international legal pressures, notably the 2019 ICJ advisory opinion, while the 99-year leaseback preserves Western military presence. However, this arrangement strains the 1966 UK-US treaty asserting UK sovereignty, complicating ratification.
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US Political Volatility: Former President Trump’s initial denunciation of the deal as "great stupidity" and "total weakness" injected uncertainty, delaying parliamentary progress. His later softened stance after discussions with PM Starmer, coupled with a warning to militarily defend the base if threatened, underscores the deal’s fragility and the unpredictable nature of US foreign policy.
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Chagossian Rights and Blue Justice: The deal notably lacks firm commitments on resettlement or governance roles for displaced Chagossians, raising ethical concerns. Mauritius’s capacity to enforce sovereignty and protect marine resources is limited, risking illegal fishing and trafficking unless supported by international partners and community engagement.
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Political Dynamics in the UK: Parliamentary delays, Tory opposition citing national security and legal treaty breaches, and internal government debates reveal domestic contention. The deal’s framing as a "surrender" by critics contrasts with government assertions of securing long-term base operations.
The deal will likely proceed but with continued political and legal hurdles. Mauritius must demonstrate effective sovereignty and sustainable governance to legitimize the transfer. The UK and US will need to update treaties and maintain military cooperation to safeguard strategic interests. The Chagossian community’s future remains uncertain, requiring international attention to ensure justice and sustainable livelihoods.
For readers, this story highlights how global security, colonial legacies, and international law collide, affecting geopolitical stability and raising questions about the rights of displaced peoples.
The UK agreed in 2025 to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, resolving a long-standing colonial dispute and complying with international law. The deal preserves a 99-year lease for the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia, a strategic hub in the Indian Ocean. The agreement aims to secure the base's future amid geopolitical tensions, but has faced opposition over sovereignty, legal treaties, and the rights of displaced Chagossians.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000 kilometres off the south-east coast of the African continent. It includes the eponymous main island of Mauritius and Rodrigues, Agaléga and St. Brandon.
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Diego Garcia is the largest island of the Chagos Archipelago. It has been used as a joint UK–U.S. military base since the 1970s, following the expulsion of the Chagossians by the UK government. The Chagos Islands are a British overseas territory, though
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.
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Greenland is the world's largest island, located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. It is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke Badenoch (née Adegoke; born 2 January 1980) is a British politician who has served as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Conservative Party since November 2024. Badenoch previously worked in the Cabinet for prime minister
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Marco Antonio Rubio is an American attorney and politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Florida. A Republican, Rubio previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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The Chagos Archipelago or Chagos Islands is a group of seven atolls comprising more than 60 islands in the Indian Ocean about 500 kilometres south of the Maldives archipelago.