Britain has suspended its plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after President Donald Trump withdrew U.S. support for the deal. The planned legislation underpinning the agreement will not be included in the government's next parliamentary agenda, effectively freezing a diplomatic arrangement months in the making.
The suspension follows Trump's sharp criticism of the handover plan, which he called a "big mistake" in February. The deal would have returned the remote Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius while preserving British control of the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base through a 99-year lease.
We continue to believe the agreement is the best way to protect the long-term future of the base, but we have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has U.S. support. We are continuing to engage with the U.S. and Mauritius
British government spokesperson
The Chagos dispute traces back to the late 1960s when Britain forcibly removed up to 2,000 indigenous Chagossians from their homes to establish the Diego Garcia base. The displaced population was relocated to Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Britain, creating a decades-long legal and diplomatic battle over their right to return.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office indicated it would attempt to persuade Washington to provide formal approval for the arrangement. However, the pause reflects broader tensions in the U.S.-UK relationship since Trump's return to office.
Frames the suspension as part of broader U.S.-UK tensions, emphasizing Trump's criticism of Starmer's leadership and reluctance to support American military operations. The outlet contextualizes the Chagos dispute within a deteriorating "special relationship" narrative, suggesting systemic diplomatic friction rather than an isolated disagreement.