Maldives Claims Chagos Islands, Offers Diego Garcia Naval Base Proposal to Trump

Maldives has stirred a fresh geopolitical controversy in the Indian Ocean by staking a claim over the Chagos Islands, a group of nearly 60 islands located about 500 km from the Maldives. The largest of these islands, Diego Garcia, currently under UK control, hosts a major U.S. naval base. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has proposed a deal to former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the strategic island.

Maldives’ Proposal to the U.S.

In an interview with Newsweek, President Muizzu said he is open to an arrangement under which if Maldives assumes control of the Chagos Islands, the United States could continue to maintain its naval facility on Diego Garcia. This unexpected move comes despite Mauritius being recognized as the sovereign authority over the Chagos Islands by the United Kingdom in 2024.

“The proposal is intended to address U.S. concerns regarding the continuation of the American Naval Support Facility on Diego Garcia,” Muizzu told Newsweek. He added that his People’s National Congress Party holds a strong parliamentary majority, allowing Maldives to potentially pass legislation to formalize the arrangement.

Strategic and Historical Context

Chagos Islands, currently uninhabited and designated as a marine protected area, have long been a point of contention. While Mauritius has promised cooperation with the U.S. and UK for defense and security operations, Muizzu’s move seeks to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Maldives, effectively offering Trump a strategic incentive.

Muizzu justified Maldives’ claim by citing historical, cultural, economic, and environmental ties. “The Chagos Islands, locally known as Folhavahi, are just 310 miles from the Maldivian capital Male, compared to 1,300 miles from Mauritius,” he noted. He also referenced ancient Maldivian records, including 900-year-old graves with inscriptions in Dhivehi and a 16th-century Maldivian royal patent, as evidence of historical sovereignty over the islands—predating Mauritius’ colonial claim.

Strategic Calculations

Muizzu emphasized Maldives’ extensive experience in managing marine protected areas and small island communities, arguing that even with expanded jurisdiction over Chagos, environmental protections and security would remain intact. Analysts view this as an attempt to attract U.S. attention to the Indian Ocean and increase Maldivian influence in the region.

“This is a calculated geopolitical move,” Muizzu stated. “By offering the Diego Garcia facility to the U.S., we aim to strengthen our strategic partnership while asserting our historical and regional claims.”

The proposal is likely to spark fresh tensions, as Mauritius has made it clear that it will not relinquish its sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, and the UK remains committed to the agreed transfer of control.