NEW: UK Government Caves, Pauses Plans For Strategically Vital Island After Pressure From Trump

The United Kingdom has temporarily halted progress on a significant agreement involving the Chagos Archipelago, including the strategically important atoll of Diego Garcia, in response to recent pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Diego Garcia is a coral atoll located in the central Indian Ocean, approximately 1,600 kilometers south of India and 3,200 kilometers east of Tanzania. It forms part of the Chagos Archipelago, which has been administered as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) since 1965, when the UK separated it from Mauritius ahead of that country’s independence.

The atoll spans about 30 square kilometers and is home to a joint UK-U.S. military base established in the 1970s. This facility has played a crucial role in various operations, including those in the Middle East and Asia, due to its remote location and extensive infrastructure for air and naval activities.

However, the establishment of the base involved the forced relocation of around 1,500-2,000 Chagossian inhabitants in the late 1960s and early 1970s, leading to decades of legal disputes and calls for repatriation.

This past October, the UK’s left-wing government announced a deal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Under the agreement, the UK would cede control while securing a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, ensuring continued operation of the military base by both the UK and the U.S. The arrangement was projected to cost the UK approximately £35 billion over the lease period, with annual payments around £101 million to Mauritius.

Supporters argued it would enhance regional stability and comply with international law, without disrupting military functions. However, critics raised concerns about potential vulnerabilities, including Mauritius’s diplomatic ties with other nations like China, which could indirectly affect base security.

President Trump forcefully criticized the deal earlier this week after weeks of skepticism. On Wednesday, Trump warned that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was “making a big mistake” by proceeding with the handover, warning that the U.S. might need the Diego Garcia base for potential operations against Iran amid escalating nuclear tensions.

Trump emphasized the base’s strategic value, suggesting the lease arrangement could compromise control during conflicts.

In response, the UK government has paused ratification of the Chagos bill. A UK minister stated that the legislation, which underpins the sovereignty transfer, would be revisited “once time allows,” describing the delay as a “pause for thought” amid U.S. concerns.

UK officials have reiterated, however, that no permission has been granted for U.S. strikes from British territories, emphasizing sovereign decision-making.

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