London (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) 20 January
2026 – United States President Donald Trump described the United Kingdom’s
agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as an act
of “great stupidity”. The remarks followed the formal ratification of the deal,
which includes the Diego Garcia military base lease remaining under UK control
for 99 years. The statement highlights ongoing US concerns over strategic
assets in the Indian Ocean amid shifting global alliances.
President Trump made the comments during a White House press conference on 19 January 2026, addressing reporters on foreign policy matters. He stated that the handover represented a needless concession that weakened Western defence postures in a critical region. The UK completed legislative approval of the treaty on 17 January, with Mauritius set to assume administrative sovereignty over the archipelago excluding the military facility.
Background to the Chagos Islands Sovereignty Dispute
Credit: Reuters
The Chagos Archipelago, located 1,900 kilometres north of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, has been under British control since 1814. Mauritius gained independence from the UK in 1968, but the islands remained a separate territory known as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). In 1965, the UK detached the Chagos from Mauritius to establish BIOT, leasing Diego Garcia to the US for a naval support facility.
The dispute intensified after an International Court of
Justice advisory opinion in 2019 declared the detachment unlawful. The UN
General Assembly endorsed the ruling with 116 votes in favour, urging the UK to
withdraw by November 2019. Mauritius pursued legal action, culminating in a
2024 Hague ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
affirming its sovereignty claim.
Successive UK governments resisted, citing defence
imperatives. Diego Garcia hosts US air and naval operations, supporting
missions in the Middle East and Asia. The base employs 2,500 personnel and
facilitates bomber deployments.
Details of the UK-Mauritius Agreement
Credit: Reuters
The treaty, initialled in October 2024, grants Mauritius sovereignty over all Chagos Islands except Diego Garcia. The UK retains sovereign rights over the base area, secured by a 99-year lease at nominal rent. Mauritius gains control over outer islands, including fishing rights and marine conservation zones.
Resettlement provisions allow former Chagossians and
descendants to return to outer islands, excluding Diego Garcia. A UK-Mauritius
commission will oversee compensation for displaced communities, estimated at
£200 million over 10 years. The agreement includes environmental protections
for the Chagos Marine Protected Area, covering 640,000 square kilometres.
Ratification occurred after UK parliamentary votes in
December 2025. Foreign Secretary David Lammy signed the instrument on 16
January 2026 in London. Mauritius President Pradeep Roopun reciprocated in Port
Louis the following day.
Trump’s Specific Criticisms and Statements
Credit: Alex Brandon, Associated Press
Trump characterised the deal as “one of the most foolish things I’ve seen in diplomacy”. He argued that relinquishing sovereignty exposed vital US interests to potential Chinese influence, given Mauritius’s ties to Beijing. During the press conference, Trump remarked:
“Handing over such strategic real estate for nothing – that’s great stupidity.”
The President referenced intelligence reports on Chinese
investments in Mauritius ports and infrastructure. He contrasted the move with
his administration’s “America First” approach to alliances. Trump directed
Secretary of State Marco Rubio to review basing agreements affected by the
transfer.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read a
statement emphasising continued US access to Diego Garcia under the lease
terms. She noted Trump’s directive for enhanced security protocols at the
facility.
UK Government Response to Trump’s Remarks
Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the agreement as
fulfilling international legal obligations. In a 19 January statement to
Parliament, Starmer highlighted safeguards for Diego Garcia operations. He
stressed the 99-year lease provided long-term certainty superior to prior
uncertainties.
Foreign Office Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan told Sky News
that consultations with Washington preceded the deal. She affirmed Diego
Garcia’s indispensable role in US-UK defence cooperation. UK officials pointed
to bipartisan support in Parliament, with Conservatives abstaining rather than
opposing.
Mauritian Foreign Minister Maneesh Gobin welcomed Trump’s
comments as misunderstanding the treaty’s protections. Gobin reiterated
Mauritius’s commitment to hosting the base under international law.
US Military and Strategic Interests in Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia supports US Fifth Fleet operations and B-52
bomber missions. The base features a deep-water lagoon, runways for heavy
aircraft, and prepositioned supplies. It played key roles in 1991 Gulf War,
2001 Afghanistan invasion, and 2003 Iraq operations.
Annual operating costs exceed $500 million, shared equally
by US and UK. The facility hosts no permanent Chagossian population, following
1970s evictions condemned by human rights groups. US commanders report full
operational readiness post-transfer.
Pentagon assessments confirm the lease secures access
through 2125. Contingency plans include diversification to Guam and Diego
Garcia expansions. Admiral Samuel Paparo, Indo-Pacific Command head, testified
in December 2025 on minimal disruptions.
International Reactions and Legal Developments
China’s Foreign Ministry expressed support for Mauritius,
criticising “colonial relics”. Beijing highlighted its $2 billion
infrastructure loans to Mauritius. India welcomed the resolution, with Prime
Minister Narendra Modi congratulating both nations.
Australia and Canada endorsed the deal, emphasising
stability. France, with nearby Réunion, abstained from comment. UN
Secretary-General António Guterres praised decolonisation progress.
Chagos Refugees Group welcomed return rights but demanded
full reparations. Human Rights Watch noted positive steps alongside unresolved
eviction claims.
Historical Context of Chagos Archipelago Control
Portugal discovered the islands in the 16th century, with
France claiming them in 1715. Britain seized control during the Napoleonic
Wars. Post-1945, strategic value grew amid Cold War naval needs.
1966 US-UK pacts established the base, with $14 million
compensation to Mauritius pre-independence. Evictions displaced 1,500-2,000
Chagossians to Mauritius and Seychelles between 1968-1973. Court of Appeal
rulings in 2000 and 2021 upheld unlawful expulsion findings.
Mauritius integrated Chagos into its EEZ claims via UNCLOS
submissions. 2021 UN resolution set a six-month withdrawal deadline, ignored by
then-PM Boris Johnson.
Implications for US-UK Special Relationship
The exchange underscores transatlantic tensions post-Brexit.
Trump’s first term saw similar base access disputes resolved via executive
agreements. Current frictions coincide with AUKUS submarine delays and Ukraine
aid divergences.
State Department cables, per leaks, urged UK retention of
full sovereignty. Rubio plans London talks on 25 January to align defence
postures. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte affirmed alliance unity despite
bilateral differences.
Economic and Environmental Aspects of the Deal
Mauritius anticipates tourism and fishing revenue boosts
from outer islands. Annual GDP contribution projected at $50 million. UK aid
commitments total £40 million yearly for 10 years.
Chagos Marine Protected Area, established 2010, faces
management transition. Joint UK-Mauritius authority oversees enforcement. IUCN
assessments note robust protections remaining intact.
Chagossian leaders secured $65 million trust fund for
community development. Vocational training programmes launch in 2027.
Ongoing Legal Challenges and Future Steps
Chagossians pursue US eviction compensation via Mauritian
courts. High Court hearings scheduled for March 2026. UK-Mauritius joint
commission convenes first session in April.
US Congress reviews lease implications
in February hearings. Senate Armed Services Committee seeks Pentagon briefings.
Trump administration pledges no operational changes.
Treaty enters force upon UN registration, expected February 2026. Flag-raising ceremonies planned for May on Peros Banhos atoll.