UK Stands Firm on Chagos Deal Despite Trump's Criticism

Wed Jan 21 2026 05:35:08 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In the face of strong backlash from former US President Donald Trump, the UK government reaffirms its commitment to the Chagos Islands agreement transferring sovereignty to Mauritius while maintaining control over a military base.

The UK government has defended its decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining control of a strategic military base on Diego Garcia. This comes after Donald Trump criticized the deal as an 'act of great stupidity'. UK officials stress the deal's importance for national security and highlight continued US support, despite Trump's recent backlash. The long-standing dispute over the islands stems from their separation from Mauritius in 1965, and the deal aims to secure military operations in the region while acknowledging Mauritius' sovereignty.

The UK government has defended a deal to give the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back a key military base, following criticism from US President Donald Trump over its handling.

In a post on social media, Trump labelled the move as an 'act of great stupidity' and 'total weakness', months after he and senior US officials endorsed it.

In response, the UK government said it would 'never compromise on our national security', while the prime minister's official spokesperson insisted the US still supported the move.

The UK signed the £3.4bn ($4.6bn) agreement in May, under which it would retain control of a UK-US military base on the largest of the islands, Diego Garcia.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized the UK, saying: 'Shockingly, our 'brilliant' NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER. There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness.'

Despite Trump's criticism, the prime minister's official spokesman stated that the US supports the deal and that it was also backed by the UK's Five Eyes allies, which include Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Gavin Glover, Mauritius' attorney general, emphasized that the agreement was exclusively between the UK and Mauritius, asserting that Mauritius' sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago is recognized by international law.

The agreement followed a long-running dispute regarding sovereignty that dates back to 1965 when the islands were separated from Mauritius. The deal involves the UK retaining control of Diego Garcia while passing sovereignty to Mauritius, with a 99-year lease back at an average cost of £101m a year.

Despite the assurances from UK officials, the political landscape remains tense, with key figures such as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey expressing deep concerns over the deal’s implications.

Amid the ongoing discourse, some British Chagossian individuals are voicing their demands to be included in discussions regarding their homeland's future, underscoring the complex and sensitive nature of the Chagos Islands situation.

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