UK to shelve Chagos handover after Trump criticism

Britain is shelving its plan to hand back the Chagos Islands, which hosts the strategic Diego Garcia US-UK military base — following strong opposition from Donald Trump, a government spokesperson said Saturday.

“We have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has US support,” the spokesperson said, as reports indicated legislation to return the archipelago to Mauritius was set to run out of time in Parliament.

Trump in January criticized what he called London’s “great stupidity” over the deal.

Strategic concerns over base

Last May’s agreement would have seen Britain transfer the islands, about 2,000 kilometers northeast of Mauritius, to its former colony, while leasing Diego Garcia for a century. The island is home to a key military base used jointly by the United States and Britain.

“Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the UK and the US,” the Downing Street spokesperson said. “Ensuring its long-term operational security is and will continue to be our priority.” Officials said discussions with Washington and Mauritius are ongoing.

Trump had initially endorsed the deal but later reversed course, warning it could signal weakness to rivals, including China and Russia. He argued the move undermined Western strategic positioning and questioned Britain’s decision to relinquish control.

Legal pressure and uncertainty

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said international legal rulings have cast doubt on Britain’s claim to the islands, and that an agreement with Mauritius was the best way to secure the base’s future. However, officials say the legislation underpinning the deal will not pass before Parliament dissolves.

Britain retained control of the Chagos Islands after Mauritius gained independence in the 1960s, forcibly removing thousands of residents. In 2019, the International Court of Justice advised that the territory should be returned to Mauritius.

The proposed deal included a 99-year lease for Diego Garcia, with an option to extend. While the UK has not confirmed the cost, it has not denied reports that the lease could amount to £90 million annually.