Britain Shelves Chagos Islands Deal After US Opposition Reportedly Led by Trump

Britain has reportedly shelved its plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after opposition linked to US President Donald Trump. The proposed deal would have allowed the UK to lease back the strategic Diego Garcia military base for decades, but it stalled in parliament and is not expected to proceed for now. The decision comes amid concerns over US support and the base’s importance to Western military operations, leaving the long-running territorial dispute unresolved.

Britain has reportedly paused its plan to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after facing opposition linked to US President Donald Trump, according to media reports.
The proposed legislation, which would have formally transferred sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius while allowing the UK to retain and lease back the strategically important Diego Garcia military base, is said to have run out of time in parliament. Reports from the BBC, citing UK government officials, indicate that a new bill is not expected to be introduced, effectively shelving the plan for now.
The agreement had been developed by the UK government as part of a long-standing effort to resolve the legal and political dispute over the Chagos Islands. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration had supported the deal, arguing that Britain’s continued claim over the islands faced increasing legal uncertainty following international rulings. However, officials acknowledged that the success of the arrangement depended heavily on securing US approval, given the importance of the Diego Garcia base to American military operations.
President Donald Trump is reported to have strongly criticized the arrangement earlier in the year, describing it as “great stupidity” in public comments. His opposition is believed to have added significant pressure on the UK government, complicating efforts to move forward with the agreement despite earlier diplomatic progress.
Under the proposed arrangement, Britain would have transferred sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while maintaining control of the Diego Garcia base through a long-term lease agreement, reportedly lasting up to 99 years. The base is jointly used by the United Kingdom and the United States and is considered one of the most important military installations in the Indian Ocean region due to its strategic location.
Diego Garcia has played a major role in various military operations over the decades and continues to be viewed as a key asset for Western defence interests in the region. Its importance has made the sovereignty negotiations particularly sensitive, involving both legal and geopolitical considerations.
The Chagos Islands were retained by Britain after Mauritius gained independence in the 1960s, a move that has remained controversial ever since. The decision included the forced removal of thousands of islanders, many of whom have continued to campaign for their right to return, as well as for compensation, through legal actions in British courts and international appeals.
In 2019, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that Britain should end its administration of the islands and return them to Mauritius. This ruling increased international pressure on the UK to reach a settlement and was a major factor behind the development of the proposed agreement.
Although financial details were not officially confirmed, reports suggested that the UK could have paid around £90 million annually under the lease arrangement for continued access to the Diego Garcia base. This long-term cost, combined with political opposition and strategic concerns, has contributed to delays and uncertainty surrounding the deal.
With the legislation now reportedly shelved, the future of the Chagos Islands remains unresolved. The situation continues to sit at the intersection of international law, colonial history, and modern military strategy, with further negotiations likely needed before any final settlement can be reached.