Kamal Ghorui
The UK government led by Keir Starmer has shelved its proposed Chagos Islands agreement with Mauritius, amid strained ties with Donald Trump and the absence of formal US approval, according to an official statement.The deal, which aimed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back the strategic Diego Garcia military base, has effectively stalled as the UK runs out of time to pass the required legislation before Parliament is dissolved.According to the BBC, officials clarified that the agreement is not being abandoned entirely, but acknowledged that a key legal requirement, a formal exchange of letters from the US, has not yet been completed.
US backing uncertainty stalls legislation
The agreement, signed in May 2025, had initially received US support. However, tensions escalated after Trump publicly criticised the plan, calling it an “act of total weakness” and urging the UK not to “give away Diego Garcia”.Despite earlier backing from the US state department, the lack of formal confirmation has prevented the UK from proceeding. A government spokesperson stressed that the deal would only move forward with US approval, adding that ensuring the long-term security of Diego Garcia remains the “entire reason for the deal”.As quoted by BBC, a government spokesperson said: “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 – it is the entire reason for the deal”“We continue to believe the agreement is the best way to protect the long-term future of the base, but we have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has US support. We are continuing to engage with the US and Mauritius”, the spokesperson added. The proposed arrangement involved the UK paying around £101 million annually to lease the base, a key UK-US military asset in the Indian Ocean.
Strategic and political concerns dominate debate
The Chagos Islands, controlled by Britain since the early 19th century, hold significant geopolitical importance due to the Diego Garcia base, which has supported major military operations, including in Afghanistan and the Middle East.The deal also aimed to resolve long-standing disputes over sovereignty, with Mauritius asserting its claim over the islands since independence. However, critics argued that the move could weaken strategic positioning in the region, especially amid growing global competition.
Political backlash and criticism intensify
The shelving of the deal has triggered strong political reactions. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed the move, saying the agreement deserved to be consigned to the “ash heap of history” and accusing Starmer of attempting to “hand over British sovereign territory”.Similarly, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the pause “long overdue” and urged the government to prioritise resettlement rights for displaced Chagossians.However, critics from other quarters argued the handling of the deal has been inconsistent. Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller described the process as “totally shambolic” and warned that Trump’s changing stance had exposed vulnerabilities in the UK-US partnership.Meanwhile, many Chagossians have opposed the deal, viewing it as a betrayal that fails to guarantee their right to return to the islands after being displaced decades ago.With no Chagos-related legislation expected in the upcoming King’s Speech, the future of the agreement remains uncertain, as the UK continues negotiations with both the US and Mauritius.
