Trump Administration to Review UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands Agreement

Concerns over Chinese influence and U.S. military access prompt delay in sovereignty transfer decision.

The UK agreed in October to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia, to Mauritius, retaining a 99-year lease for military use.
Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump and his team have pushed for a delay in finalizing the deal to address security concerns about potential Chinese influence.
Diego Garcia hosts a key U.S. military base, critical for operations in the Indo-Pacific and defense against potential threats from China.
Mauritius' Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam is seeking revised terms for the agreement, including inflation indexing and full recognition of Mauritian sovereignty.
Chagossians and U.S. officials have raised concerns about the deal's implications, with some fearing it could undermine strategic interests in the region.