Diego Garcia Naval Base and Chagos Islands: Why Trump Turned His Attention to India’s Neighborhood

Washington: Amid his focus on Greenland, US President Donald Trump has unexpectedly targeted the Diego Garcia naval base in the Indian Ocean, drawing attention to the strategic Chagos Archipelago. The archipelago, comprising around 60 islands, has long been at the center of a sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Mauritius. Diego Garcia, the largest island, hosts a critical US-British military base.

Historically under British control, Diego Garcia was leased to the United States in the 1960s for military purposes, including servicing naval vessels and refueling long-range bombers. During this period, more than 55 islanders were displaced. After Mauritius gained independence from Britain in 1968, it continued to claim sovereignty over the islands.

Under increasing legal and diplomatic pressure, the UK government led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer last year agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The deal, signed in May 2025, followed rulings from the UN’s highest court and the International Court of Justice, which deemed Britain’s 1965 separation of the islands from Mauritius illegal. The agreement allows the United States and United Kingdom to continue operating the Diego Garcia base for an initial period of 99 years before transferring full control to Mauritius.

Trump criticized the UK’s decision, calling it “a very foolish move” and expressed surprise that America’s NATO ally would plan to hand over Diego Garcia, a strategic base crucial for monitoring, intelligence gathering, and regional security.

Responding to Trump, Mauritius reaffirmed its sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, citing international law. Attorney General Gavin Glover emphasized that the agreement was negotiated and finalized solely between Mauritius and the United Kingdom, and expressed confidence that the deal would proceed despite Trump’s criticism.

With its strategic location, Diego Garcia remains a linchpin for US military operations in the Indian Ocean, underscoring why Trump’s sudden focus on the region signals a shift in American attention to India’s neighborhood.