Trump Urges UK Not to Cede Diego Garcia Amid Chagos Sovereignty Dispute

US President Donald Trump has publicly urged the United Kingdom not to proceed with plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, warning against what he described as a strategic mistake involving the island of Diego Garcia.

In comments posted on social media, Trump said the UK should not give away Diego Garcia, calling it a vital strategic asset in the Indian Ocean. He argued that long term leasing arrangements were not an adequate substitute for sovereignty and suggested that handing over control would weaken a key Western military position.

Diego Garcia is the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago and hosts a significant joint UK US military base. The facility has long played a central role in operations across the Middle East and Asia due to its location in the central Indian Ocean. Under the current agreement between London and Port Louis, the UK would transfer sovereignty of the wider archipelago to Mauritius while leasing back Diego Garcia for 99 years to maintain military operations.

Trump’s remarks come shortly after the US State Department signalled support for the agreement, stating that Washington backed the UK’s decision to proceed with the sovereignty transfer. The apparent divergence in tone highlights renewed political attention around the deal ahead of scheduled talks between US and Mauritian officials.

In his statement, Trump emphasised Diego Garcia’s strategic importance, particularly in the context of global security tensions. He referenced ongoing concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme and suggested the base could play a role in any potential future military action if diplomatic efforts failed. The United States and European allies have long expressed concerns over Tehran’s nuclear activities, although Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons.

The UK government has defended the agreement with Mauritius as a resolution to a longstanding sovereignty dispute. The Chagos Islands were separated from Mauritius in 1965, three years before Mauritian independence. In recent years, international legal bodies have questioned the UK’s continued administration of the territory, increasing diplomatic pressure to reach a settlement.

British officials maintain that the lease arrangement will preserve the operational effectiveness of the Diego Garcia base while addressing international concerns about sovereignty. The government has also stated that security cooperation with the United States remains central to the agreement.

The issue has sparked debate within the UK, where critics argue that transferring sovereignty could undermine national interests. Supporters of the deal contend that maintaining a legally secure long term lease ensures continued access for defence purposes while improving relations with Mauritius and aligning with international legal recommendations.

With geopolitical tensions high and strategic assets under scrutiny, Diego Garcia has once again become a focal point in broader discussions about defence policy, international law and Britain’s global role.