The UK government has put on hold plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, after intensive opposition by the United Sttes.
The proposed legislation underpinning the agreement will not feature in the next parliamentary agenda, as London seeks to secure Washington’s approval.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office said discussions with the US are ongoing, stressing that the deal would only proceed with American backing. The move follows criticism from US President Donald Trump, who has described the agreement as a mistake.
Under the proposal, Britain would retain control of the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base through a 99-year lease, safeguarding joint UK-US operations. Officials insist the long-term security of the base remains a priority, arguing the deal offers the best path to protect its future, while continuing diplomatic engagement with both the US and Mauritius.
The Chagos Islands hold major military significance due to the presence of the strategically positioned Diego Garcia base.
Diego Garcia is the largest of the 55 islands that make up the Chagos Archipelago, part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), established after France ceded several Indian Ocean islands to Britain under the 1814 Treaty of Paris.
The joint UK-US facility serves as a crucial hub for American naval and air operations. It supports US Navy logistics vessels and long-range bombers such as the B1-B Lancer, offering a secure platform from which missions can be launched across the Middle East.
The base is extensive and widely regarded as vital for maintaining stability in the region. While only a small UK contingent—around 40 personnel—provides policing and customs functions, the site hosts hundreds of joint forces members and more than 2,000 civilian staff and contractors.
The UK purchased the islands in 1965 for £3 million to establish the BIOT. Since then, sovereignty has been contested, with the UN calling for Britain to end its administration. Talks with Mauritius began in 2022, culminating in a transfer of sovereignty in 2024, though the deal has continued to face political and legal challenges.
via Reuters
