Overview
- London reopened consultations with the White House after the president labeled the sovereignty transfer to Mauritius “an act of great stupidity,” according to multiple reports.
- The government postponed a House of Lords debate on enabling legislation as cross-party critics raised legal, financial and security objections.
- Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu formally asked the UK to award sovereignty to his country and told media he would seek to preserve US operations at Diego Garcia under Maldivian control.
- The UK–Mauritius agreement signed in May 2025 would cede the archipelago while preserving a reported 99-year lease for the Diego Garcia base funded by British payments.
- Chagossian leaders, backed by a recent UN committee statement on self-determination, oppose the deal and have formed a government in exile as US and UK politicians warn of leverage for Mauritius and possible Chinese influence.