The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has postponed the agreement to transfer the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius following the United States’ failure to provide official confirmation of its approval. This decision comes as British officials state they are not entirely abandoning the deal but have run out of time to pass the necessary legislation before the session ends in the coming weeks.
According to reports, the bill concerning the Chagos Islands is unlikely to be included in the King’s speech during the upcoming session opening in mid-May. The Chagos Islands, officially known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, have been under British control since the early 19th century.
The proposed agreement would see the UK cede sovereignty over the territory to Mauritius while paying an average of $136 million annually for the lease of the joint UK-US military base located on Diego Garcia. A government spokesperson emphasized that Diego Garcia is a vital strategic military asset for both the UK and the US.
“Ensuring long-term operational security remains our priority – this is the main reason for the agreement. We continue to believe that this deal is the best way to protect the base’s long-term future, but we have always stated that we will proceed only with US support. We are continuing to collaborate with both the US and Mauritius,” the spokesperson stated.
On May 22, 2025, Prime Minister Starmer confirmed the signing of the agreement with the Mauritian government, which involves the transfer of control over the Chagos Islands, including the Diego Garcia military base, a critical strategic site in the region jointly leased by the UK and the US. Under the agreement, the base would be leased back to the UK on behalf of the Mauritian government.
Starmer noted that a full assessment of the reasons behind this decision is classified. He indicated that London felt compelled to finalize the agreement to avoid a potential lawsuit from Mauritius in international courts, which the UK would likely lose, incurring substantial penalties.
Earlier in the day, a court issued a temporary injunction against signing the agreement, but this was later lifted by a High Court judge, allowing the document to be executed. Former US President Donald Trump publicly supported the agreement.
In January 2026, Trump criticized the UK’s decision to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has delayed the transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius due to unresolved US approval issues. The agreement involves significant financial commitments and highlights the strategic importance of the Diego Garcia military base.
Source: BBC