Britain’s government has decided to pause the transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, which is home to the US-British Diego Garcia air base, following criticism from US President Donald Trump. The proposed legislation supporting the transfer of the islands to Mauritius will not be included in the upcoming parliamentary agenda, as reported by The Times newspaper.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office stated that London will seek to secure formal approval from Washington. Trump had previously expressed disapproval of the deal, labeling it a “big mistake” after initially suggesting it was the best deal Starmer could achieve.
The agreement would allow Britain to maintain control of the strategically significant military base on Diego Garcia through a 99-year lease to support US operations. A British government spokesperson emphasized the importance of ensuring the long-term operational security of Diego Garcia and reiterated the commitment to engaging with the US and Mauritius to move forward with the deal.
The establishment of the military base on Diego Garcia in the late 1960s and 1970s involved the forced displacement of around 2,000 indigenous Chagossians. Toby Noskwith, a representative of the Indigenous Chagossian People campaign group, expressed concerns about the deal and highlighted the impact on the Chagossian community, emphasizing the need for dignified resettlement and the right to self-determination.
Recent tensions between Washington and London have surfaced over Starmer’s cautious approach towards involvement in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran and initial refusal to allow Trump to use British air bases for attacks. However, US forces have been authorized to conduct defensive strikes. Trump’s criticism of Starmer and the strain on the traditional “special relationship” between the US and Britain have been ongoing.
The government’s stance on the Chagos Islands sovereignty transfer reflects the complexities of international relations and the historical implications of the Diego Garcia air base’s establishment. Clarifying the future direction of the deal requires continued diplomatic efforts with US and Mauritian stakeholders.