Trump Signals Likely Support for UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands Deal

The agreement, involving a long-term lease of Diego Garcia, hinges on U.S. approval amid security concerns and financial implications.

President Donald Trump indicated he is inclined to support a UK-Mauritius agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, with a 99-year lease for the Diego Garcia military base.
The deal, originally backed by the Biden administration, has faced delays due to a change in leadership in both the U.S. and Mauritius, prompting further review.
Diego Garcia, a critical U.S.-UK military base in the Indian Ocean, is seen as strategically important, with concerns raised by U.S. officials about potential Chinese influence in the region.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces domestic criticism over the financial cost of the deal, rumored to be £9 billion, and its impact on British sovereignty.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that the deal cannot proceed without U.S. approval, emphasizing the shared military and intelligence interests between the two nations.