Washington D.C. – US President Donald Trump has publicly criticised the United Kingdom’s plan to cede control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, warning Prime Minister Keir Starmer against what he termed a “big mistake.” The unexpected intervention from the former US president raises latest questions about the future of the strategically important archipelago, and particularly the fate of the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia. This dispute over the Chagos Islands highlights ongoing tensions between the US and the UK regarding geopolitical strategy and colonial legacies.
The controversy centers around a deal agreed to last year, where Britain would return sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) to Mauritius, but retain a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, a key military installation. Trump, who had previously offered support for the deal earlier this month, reversed course with a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, according to reports from Sky News and The Guardian. He warned Starmer against “losing control” of the islands to entities he described as “never known of before” and “fictitious in nature.”
Strategic Importance of Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago, hosts a vital joint US-UK military base. Trump’s concern stems from the potential loss of access to this facility, which he suggested could be crucial in the event of escalating tensions with Iran. He specifically mentioned the possibility of needing Diego Garcia, alongside RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, to “eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime,” as reported by The Guardian. The base has historically played a significant role in US military operations in the region, including during the Gulf Wars and the “War on Terror.”
The UK government has defended the deal, asserting that it is the only way to guarantee the long-term future of the Diego Garcia base. A Foreign Office spokesperson stated that securing the joint UK-US military base is “crucial to the security of the UK and our key allies, and to keeping the British people safe,” as Sky News reported. The agreement aims to balance the interests of maintaining a strategic military presence with addressing the long-standing claims of the Chagos Islanders, who were forcibly removed from the islands in the 1960s and 1970s to make way for the US base.
A Shifting US Position
Trump’s latest comments represent a shift in his administration’s stance on the Chagos Islands deal. Just days prior, the State Department had officially backed the agreement, following earlier indications of support. This inconsistency has prompted questions about the internal dynamics within the Trump administration and the influence of differing advisors on the president’s foreign policy decisions. Leavitt, as quoted by Sky News, suggested that Trump’s post “should be taken as policy,” despite the recent backing from the State Department.
The History of the Chagos Islands Dispute
The Chagos Islands were part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, established in 1965. Between 1967 and 1973, the British government forcibly removed the Chagossian people, primarily to the islands of Mauritius and the Seychelles, to allow the United States to build the military base on Diego Garcia. The expulsion of the Chagossians has been widely condemned as a violation of human rights, and the islanders have been fighting for decades to return to their homeland. Mauritius claims sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, arguing that they were illegally separated from its territory before its independence in 1968.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has previously ruled that the UK’s continued administration of the Chagos Islands is unlawful, a decision the UK disputes. The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted in 2019 calling for the UK to relinquish control of the islands, but the UK has resisted these calls, citing strategic and security concerns. The current deal with Mauritius represents an attempt to resolve the dispute while safeguarding the US-UK military presence.
Implications for UK-US Relations
Trump’s intervention adds another layer of complexity to the already strained relationship between the UK and the US. While the two countries maintain a close alliance, there have been increasing disagreements over trade, foreign policy, and international cooperation. This latest dispute over the Chagos Islands could further exacerbate these tensions, particularly as the UK navigates its post-Brexit role on the global stage. The situation also raises questions about the extent to which the US is willing to prioritize its strategic interests over the concerns of its allies and the rights of displaced populations.
The UK government is expected to continue discussions with the US administration to address Trump’s concerns and reaffirm the importance of the deal for both countries’ security. The long-term future of the Chagos Islands remains uncertain, but the latest developments underscore the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the Indian Ocean region.
The next key development will be the ongoing discussions between UK and US officials regarding the implementation of the Chagos Islands deal and addressing the concerns raised by President Trump. Further updates are expected in the coming weeks as both governments seek to navigate this sensitive issue.
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