LONDON — On Wednesday, the British government announced that it would not proceed with an agreement to transfer sovereignty over the disputed Chagos Islands to Mauritius until it has consulted with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Discussions between the British and Mauritian governments have been ongoing in recent months, aiming to resolve the status of the Chagos archipelago, which is strategically vital due to its hosting of a U.K.-U.S. military base.
Opposition to the agreement has come from Trump and his supporters, particularly through his designated secretary of state, Marco Rubio, who previously expressed that the deal could undermine U.S. national security.
The military presence at Diego Garcia, the largest island in the group, has been instrumental in U.S. military operations extending from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan. Furthermore, in 2008, it was acknowledged that the base had been utilized for covert rendition flights involving terror suspects.
The spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated on Wednesday that it is appropriate for Trump’s administration to review any potential agreement, stating, “It is perfectly reasonable for the new U.S. administration to actually consider the detail and we will obviously have those discussions with them.” He emphasized that any deal would need to align with the U.K.’s interests and ensure national security.
Recent media reports have suggested that British and Mauritian officials were rushing to complete the agreement ahead of Trump’s inauguration.
Historically, Britain detached the islands from Mauritius in 1965, just three years before Mauritius achieved independence, labeling the region the British Indian Ocean Territory. During the 1960s and 1970s, Britain forcibly removed approximately 2,000 residents to facilitate the construction of the Diego Garcia base for U.S. military operations.
Mauritius has consistently challenged Britain’s claim over the Chagos Islands. In recent years, both the United Nations and its highest court have recommended that Britain relinquish control and return the islands to Mauritius. Last October, Britain tentatively agreed to this in a draft proposal, but the process has encountered delays following a governmental change in Mauritius and disputes regarding the compensation the U.K. should provide for the lease of the Diego Garcia base.
On Wednesday, the Mauritian government released a statement confirming that the Cabinet had been briefed about the latest developments and that discussions in London would proceed.
