UK Stands Firm on Chagos Islands Deal Amid Trump's Criticism

Wed Jan 21 2026 11:26:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The UK government defends its deal to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining control of a military base, following harsh words from Donald Trump who deems the agreement 'an act of great stupidity.'

The UK's recent pact to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while maintaining a military presence has sparked controversy, especially after Donald Trump's condemnation. The UK defends the agreement, asserting US support and emphasizing the importance of national security. Trump previously endorsed the deal, revealing shifting geopolitical dynamics and leading to internal debates within the UK government about the implications of the transfer.

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 recent social media post, Trump labelled the move as an act of great stupidity, expressing his disapproval despite having previously endorsed the agreement. The UK government reassured that it would never compromise on our national security and insisted that the US still backs the deal.

Signed in May for £3.4bn ($4.6bn), the deal allows the UK to retain control of a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands.

On Tuesday, Trump criticized the UK’s decision, claiming it represents a lack of strength, stating, There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness, and called the planning to give away a military base an act of GREAT STUPIDITY.

The UK prime minister's spokesperson affirmed the US's prior support for the deal, mentioning that it had backing from the UK's Five Eyes allies: Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The spokesperson also confirmed that the agreement is proceeding through Parliament and remains unchanged.

Mauritius' attorney general, Gavin Glover, expressed confidence that the agreement would advance, emphasizing it had been negotiated solely between the UK and Mauritius, which already has its sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago recognized by international law.

This deal ends a long-standing dispute over the Chagos Islands that began when Britain separated them from Mauritius in 1965, under controversial circumstances linked to Mauritius's path to independence.

Beneath the politics, the voices of British Chagossians, like Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, highlight the human cost of geopolitics. They argue for their right to return home, feeling excluded from crucial discussions regarding their ancestral islands.

As debates continue about the implications of the deal, internal divisions within UK politics surface, with leaders from various parties voicing their opinions against the backdrop of international criticism and support.