The United Kingdom will not proceed with the Chagos Islands sovereignty transfer if US President Donald Trump disapproves, stated Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The deal, originally agreed upon in 2024, involves transferring control of the islands to Mauritius while securing a 99-year lease for the UK-US military base at Diego Garcia.
Uncertainty After Government Changes
Mauritius initially agreed to the deal but later renegotiated after a new government, led by Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, took office. The new administration demanded better financial terms for the lease. Meanwhile, Trump’s return to office further complicated the agreement, as he is reportedly critical of the deal.
US Approval is Crucial
As British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer prepares for his U.S. visit, Foreign Secretary Lammy emphasized that the deal depends on Trump’s approval. Since the military base at Diego Garcia is jointly operated by the UK and the U.S., Washington’s support is essential.
“If President Trump doesn’t like the deal, the deal will not go forward," Lammy told ITV News. "We have a shared military and intelligence interest with the United States, and of course, they’ve got to be happy with the deal or there is no deal.”
Although Lammy still believes the original agreement with Mauritius is the best option, leadership changes in both Mauritius and the United States mean the deal remains under review.
White House Reviewing Agreement
Earlier this month, the White House confirmed that Trump’s administration is still assessing the implications of the agreement for the Naval Support Facility at Diego Garcia. As a result, the UK must wait for Washington’s decision before moving forward.
Political and Financial Pressure
Starmer faces pressure from multiple sides. On one hand, Mauritius is demanding better terms, while on the other, the opposition Conservatives are criticizing the deal. Additionally, international legal challenges could complicate operations. Critics argue that giving up control of the Chagos Islands would weaken British and Western security interests in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in countering China's influence.
Financial concerns have also fueled opposition. Reports suggest the UK initially agreed to pay £90 million annually for the lease, totaling around £9 billion. However, Mauritius' new government is demanding significantly more—up to £800 million per year, plus inflation adjustments and reparations. This could increase the deal's cost by billions.
Opposition Criticism
Dame Priti Patel, Shadow Foreign Secretary, strongly criticized the deal, calling it “economically illiterate.” She accused the government of wasting taxpayer money by leasing back territory already under British sovereignty and failing to be transparent about the financial implications.
“At a time when public spending is under serious pressure, they are signing up to spend billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money leasing back a site that is currently under our sovereignty. And to add insult to injury, they are doing all this in secret," Patel said.
As negotiations continue, the fate of the Chagos Islands deal remains uncertain. The UK government must balance diplomatic, security, and financial concerns while awaiting the Trump administration’s final decision.
