The UK government has issued a firm defence of its agreement to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following a blistering attack from U.S. President Donald Trump, who labelled the move an act of “great stupidity.”
The rift highlights a growing tension between the two long-standing allies over strategic security in the Indian Ocean, specifically regarding the future of the vital Diego Garcia military base.
In a series of early-morning statements on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, President Trump criticized the UK’s decision to cede sovereignty of the archipelago, which has been under British control for over 50 years.
The U.S President argued that the deal compromises Western security and gives “a foothold to adversaries” in the Indian Ocean. He characterized the move as a sign of weakness and a failure of British leadership.
The White House has expressed fears that Mauritius, which has growing economic ties with China, could eventually restrict or influence operations at the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) pushed back, insisting the deal is the only way to ensure the long-term legal security of the military base.
“This agreement is not an act of stupidity; it is a strategic necessity. By resolving the long-standing sovereignty dispute with Mauritius, we have secured the operation of the Diego Garcia base for the next 99 years. Without this deal, the base faced a future of constant legal challenges in international courts.”
The Chagos Deal at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
| Sovereignty | Transferred from the UK to Mauritius. |
| Diego Garcia | UK/US retain full operational control for a 99-year lease. |
| Resettlement | Displaced Chagossians are permitted to return to all islands except Diego Garcia. |
| Legal Standing | Ends decades of litigation at the UN and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). |
Diego Garcia is arguably the most important U.S. military asset in the Indian Ocean, serving as a hub for long-range bombers and naval logistics.
While the UK emphasizes that the 99-year lease provides “unprecedented certainty,” the Trump administration appears skeptical of the enforcement mechanisms should the geopolitical alignment of Mauritius change in the coming decades.
In the UK, the opposition has accused the government of “sleepwalking into a diplomatic crisis with our closest ally,” while supporters of the deal argue that failing to comply with international law would have damaged Britain’s global standing even further.
