UK pauses Chagos Islands handover to Mauritius following Trump's criticism

Kathmandu. Following sharp criticism from US President Donald Trump, the UK has paused its long-awaited plan to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. London made this decision amid growing international concerns regarding the future of the strategically vital joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia.

A spokesperson for the British government stated on Saturday that no agreement would proceed without US support. According to the spokesperson, the plan has been halted for now as the parliamentary time to advance the legal process regarding Chagos has expired.

Under an agreement reached last year, it was proposed that the UK would transfer the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius while leasing the main island of Diego Garcia for 99 years to continue operating the military base. However, security concerns raised by the US have impacted the process.

Diego Garcia is viewed as a highly significant strategic military asset for both the US and the UK. A Downing Street spokesperson emphasized that ensuring its long-term security remains the top priority, adding that dialogue with the US and Mauritius will continue.

Previously, Trump expressed strong dissatisfaction with the deal, labeling it a 'huge mistake.' He accused the UK of giving up such a vital island without cause, warning that China and Russia could interpret the move as a sign of weakness.

The UK recently allowed the US to use Diego Garcia for 'defensive operations' during regional tensions related to Iran, further highlighting its strategic importance.

Nevertheless, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously argued that international legal rulings had weakened the UK's claim to Chagos, making an agreement with Mauritius necessary. In 2019, the International Court of Justice also recommended that the UK return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

Historically, the UK retained control of the Chagos Islands even after Mauritius gained independence in the 1960s. During that period, thousands of local residents were forcibly displaced, leading to a long-standing legal battle for compensation.

For now, the Chagos agreement has not been fully scrapped. Government officials have indicated that it could be revived through new legislation in the future, but it is certain that the necessary legal processes will not be completed before the current parliamentary session ends.

Meanwhile, no clear details have been released regarding the annual rent the UK would pay under the proposed agreement. However, the government has not denied estimates suggesting an annual cost of approximately 90 million pounds.