日本語
한국어
Polski
Deutsch
Nederlands
Español
Français
Português
Italiano
Svenska
繁體中文
Dansk
// DOSSIER — uk-initiates-review-chagos-islands-sovereignty-deal
UK Initiates Review of Chagos Islands Sovereignty Deal Following Trump Criticism
REL_TIME: 26 Sep 2026 08:12Z · LANG: EN
The British government has officially placed the Chagos Islands sovereignty transfer on hold for review following a meeting at the UN General Assembly where US President Donald Trump branded the agreement 'terrible' and 'ridiculous.' Defense Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed that the deal, originally brokered under former PM Keir Starmer, cannot proceed without explicit US support. The proposed agreement would cede the archipelago to Mauritius while leasing back the strategic Diego Garcia military base for 99 years at an annual cost of approximately £101 million. The UK now seeks to revise the pact to address US security concerns, particularly regarding the base's role in operations against Iran and fears of potential Chinese influence in the region.
// Background
The Chagos Islands were separated from Mauritius by the UK in 1965 to create the British Indian Ocean Territory. Between 1968 and 1973, the UK forcibly evicted the native population to allow for the construction of the Diego Garcia military base. In 2019, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating the UK's administration was unlawful. Negotiations for a transfer began in 2022, resulting in a 2025 agreement that has since stalled due to shifting political support in Washington and London.
// Key Developments
- UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting confirms the deal is under review because the US administration 'does not support it.'
- President Trump reiterated his opposition during his first face-to-face meeting with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in New York.
- The original deal involved a 99-year lease of Diego Garcia at an estimated annual cost of £101m to £120m.
- Multi-million pound payments to Mauritius have been suspended while the review is conducted.
- Critics in the UK and US argue the transfer risks allowing China to establish a strategic presence in the Indian Ocean.
- The Diego Garcia base is considered vital for US military operations in the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa.
// Timeline
-
UK separates Chagos Islands from Mauritius prior to Mauritian independence.
-
International Court of Justice rules UK administration of the islands is unlawful.
-
UK and Mauritius sign a sovereignty transfer agreement with initial US approval.
-
Donald Trump reverses his position, labeling the deal an 'act of total weakness.'
-
The UK pauses the Chagos deal indefinitely following Trump's withdrawal of support.
-
Trump meets PM Burnham at UNGA and publicly brands the agreement a 'terrible deal.'
-
UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting officially announces a review of the agreement.
// Perspectives
[Donald Trump]
Strongly opposed; views the transfer as an act of 'great stupidity' and a threat to US national security.
[UK Government (Burnham/Streeting)]
Pragmatic/Reviewing; acknowledges the deal is untenable without US backing and seeks a revised resolution.
[Mauritius]
Pro-transfer; maintains that the islands were illegally detached by the UK in 1965 as a condition for independence.
[UK Conservative Opposition]
Opposed; labels the agreement a 'surrender deal' that hands sovereign territory to a Chinese ally.
// Quotes
“Sticking our heads in the sand and hoping it won't go away is not a wise strategy.”
“It's a terrible deal... it's amazing how strategic it is, and I think the prime minister is going to be looking at it.”
“I've inherited the situation, and we need a resolution. It's critical to safeguard the future of the base.”
“If Burnham was really serious about our defence he would know that this deal should be binned entirely.”
