ISLAMABAD: The British government has decided to put on hold its plan to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following strong criticism from US President Donald Trump, a government spokesperson said on Saturday. The Indian Ocean archipelago includes Diego Garcia, a key UK-US military base.
“We have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has US support” the spokesman said, as reports indicated that legislation required to complete the transfer was unlikely to pass before the current parliamentary session ends.
The proposed agreement, announced last year, would have seen Britain hand over the islands — located about 2,000 kilometres northeast of Mauritius — to its former colony while leasing back Diego Garcia for 100 years. The base plays a significant strategic role for both London and Washington.
“Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the UK and the US. Ensuring its long-term operational security is and will continue to be our priority – it is the entire reason for the deal,” the Downing Street spokesperson added.
International legal rulings
“We are continuing to engage with the US and Mauritius.”
Trump, who had initially supported the arrangement, later criticised it sharply in January, calling it unnecessary.
“The United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia… for no reason whatsoever,” he said.
“There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness,” he added.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously argued that international legal rulings have cast doubt on Britain’s claim to the islands, and that reaching an agreement with Mauritius is the best way to secure the future of the military base.
Officials indicated the plan has not been completely abandoned, but acknowledged that a new bill is unlikely to be introduced soon. The dispute dates back to the 1960s, when Britain retained control of the islands after Mauritius gained independence and displaced local inhabitants, leading to ongoing legal challenges.
