US President Donald Trump announced a significant shift in his stance on the British-Mauritian agreement concerning the Chagos Islands , following telephone conversations with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump expressed understanding for the British move to return sovereignty over the archipelago to the Republic of Mauritius, backtracking on previous statements in which he described the agreement as "a big mistake."
Details of the new American position
On his social media platform Truth Social, the US president wrote: "I understand that Prime Minister Starmer reached the best possible agreement." However, the announcement of acceptance was not without a clear warning regarding US national security; Trump emphasized that the United States would not compromise on protecting its strategic interests in the region.
Trump added a warning: "But if this lease fails in the near future, or if any entity threatens or endangers U.S. operations and forces at our base, I reserve the right to protect and enhance the U.S. military presence at Diego Garcia." These statements underscore the critical importance of the Diego Garcia base, a cornerstone of U.S. military operations in the Indian Ocean.
Historical context of the conflict
the Chagos Islands dispute date back to the mid-1960s, specifically 1965, when Britain separated the archipelago from Mauritius three years before the latter's independence, creating what became known as the "British Indian Ocean Territory." This was followed by the forced relocation of the islands' indigenous inhabitants to make way for the construction of the joint US military base.
For decades, Mauritius waged a long diplomatic and legal battle to regain its sovereignty, culminating in a 2019 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice that deemed the continued British administration of the archipelago illegal, which increased international pressure on London to reach a settlement.
Strategic and geopolitical importance
The intense US interest in this agreement stems from the sensitive geopolitical location of Diego Garcia. The military base there hosts long-range strategic bombers and logistics support ships, and plays a vital role in military operations in the Middle East, East Africa, and South Asia.
Under the agreement signed by London in May 2025, Britain recognizes Mauritian sovereignty over the archipelago in exchange for a 99-year guarantee of the UK and US right to operate the military base. This clause aims to allay Western concerns about the potential for increased Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean through Mauritius, which explains Trump's emphasis on "protecting operations" as a prerequisite for accepting the agreement.
