Trump and the Chagos Islands agreement: Details of the conversation with Starmer and the fate of the base
In a significant development in the controversial issue that has sparked widespread debate in international political circles, US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday his understanding of the United Kingdom's decision to return sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to the Republic of Mauritius. This announcement followed a telephone conversation between Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, thus ending a period of anticipation regarding the US position on this historic agreement.
Details of the American position and the explicit warning
Despite his previous criticism of the decision, the US president, via his Truth Social platform, expressed acceptance of the diplomatic reality, stating, "I understand that Prime Minister Starmer reached the best possible agreement." However, Trump's statement was not without its weight of force and warning, as he linked his acceptance of the agreement to guarantees for the security of US military operations in the region.
Trump unequivocally asserted his right to "protect and enhance the U.S. military presence on Diego Garcia" should the lease lapse in the near future or should U.S. forces face any security threats. This statement reflects the paramount importance Washington places on its military base in the Indian Ocean, regardless of political arrangements concerning sovereignty.
The strategic importance of the Diego Garcia base
Diego Garcia , located on the largest island in the archipelago, holds
- Supporting US air and naval operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Providing a strategic launching point for operations in the Middle East and East Africa.
- Hosting strategic bombers, nuclear submarines, and advanced communications centers.
Therefore, the condition set by Trump reflects the concerns of the US military establishment about any influence that might affect the operation of this base, especially in light of the escalating international competition in that vital region of the world.
Historical background of the conflict and the roots of the crisis
To understand the depth of this agreement, one must return to the historical roots of the conflict. Britain retained the Chagos Islands and separated them from Mauritius in 1965, three years before Mauritius gained its independence. London then leased Diego Garcia to the United States to establish a military base, resulting in the forced displacement of the island's indigenous population—a stain on the history of human rights and international law for decades.
Mauritius has waged a long legal and diplomatic battle in the corridors of the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, which issued an advisory opinion in 2019 stating that the continued British administration of the archipelago is illegal, and demanding an end to this presence.
The future of the agreement and sovereignty
Under the agreement signed by London in May 2025 with its former colony, Britain recognized Mauritius's full sovereignty over the archipelago. In return, the Western military presence was secured through a long-term lease on the Diego Garcia base, guaranteeing the continuation of joint British-American operations. Trump's recent stance gives a conditional green light to this new arrangement, while the threat of military action remains ready to be wielded should American interests be threatened.
