“Do Not Give Up Diego Garcia,” Trump Warns UK PM Starmer Over Chagos Deal With Mauritius

Washington: US President Donald Trump has strongly criticised the United Kingdom’s controversial agreement to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while keeping the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base on a long-term lease. Trump has warned British Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to allow the territory to slip away from British control, calling the deal a serious strategic mistake.

In a sharp post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump urged Starmer to reconsider the agreement, arguing that leasing such a critical geopolitical asset could weaken the UK’s position in the Indian Ocean.

“I want to tell UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that when it comes to countries, leasing is not a good thing. He is making a big mistake with a 100-year lease. Diego Garcia is strategically located in the Indian Ocean, and losing it is not a good decision,” Trump wrote.

Trump further stated that allowing the land to leave British control would be a “stain” on the United Kingdom, which he described as America’s “great ally.”

UK Defends Deal as Essential for Security

Rejecting Trump’s criticism, the UK Foreign Office defended the Chagos agreement, stating that the deal is necessary for the security of Britain and its close allies. British officials claimed the agreement is the only realistic way to ensure the long-term future of the Diego Garcia military base, which has been crucial to Western military operations for decades.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also earlier argued that the deal is essential to protect the continued functioning of the base, which is jointly used by the armed forces of both the UK and the United States.

Why Diego Garcia Matters

Diego Garcia is the largest island in the Chagos archipelago and hosts a highly strategic US-UK military base. The base has historically been used by the United States for major operations, including campaigns in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

The Pentagon has repeatedly described Diego Garcia as a key operational platform for missions across the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa, making it one of the most critical military outposts in the Indian Ocean.

Chagos Islands Deal: What the Agreement Says

Negotiations between the UK and Mauritius began in 2022. After lengthy talks, Britain signed the agreement with Mauritius in May 2025.

Under the terms of the deal:

• The UK will transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
• In return, Britain will pay Mauritius and lease back Diego Garcia for at least 99 years, ensuring continued military use.

A Long-Running Colonial Dispute

The dispute dates back to 1965, when Britain separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius—three years before Mauritius gained independence. Since then, Mauritius has consistently demanded the return of the archipelago, arguing that it was unlawfully detached during the colonial era.

The issue has drawn international attention, with even the United Nations panel urging Britain to reconsider its position, citing concerns over sovereignty and historical injustice.

Rising US-UK Tensions

Trump’s open warning has added to growing unease in Washington, where many policymakers fear that shifting control of the Chagos Islands could complicate future military operations and weaken Western strategic dominance in the region.

With the Indian Ocean increasingly becoming a major arena of geopolitical competition, the Chagos deal is now emerging as a key point of tension between two of the world’s closest allies.