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The United States government has formally endorsed the United Kingdom government’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while retaining access to a strategically vital military base through a long-term lease arrangement.
In an official statement, the US Department of State confirmed it supports London’s agreement with Mauritius regarding the Chagos archipelago. The move provides reassurance to the UK after uncertainty created by shifting remarks from Donald Trump, who had initially criticised the agreement before later describing it as the best possible option for the British prime minister.
The US announcement comes ahead of bilateral talks between Washington and Mauritius scheduled for next week. According to the State Department, discussions will centre on security cooperation and ensuring the smooth implementation of long-term defence arrangements.
A key element of the deal is the continued operation of the military facility on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the chain. Under the proposed framework, the UK will lease back Diego Garcia for 99 years, allowing uninterrupted use by UK and US armed forces. The State Department said maintaining the base would bolster US national security interests and help preserve stability across the Indian Ocean region.
The US had earlier indicated support for the £3.4 billion ($4.6 billion) agreement signed by the UK in May. At that time, Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the arrangement, despite subsequent criticism from President Trump on social media amid broader diplomatic tensions with European allies.
UK officials have reiterated that national security considerations remain paramount, stressing that defence interests would not be compromised. Talks next week, to be held in Port Louis, are expected to further outline measures to guarantee long-term security cooperation between Mauritius and the US.
The Chagos Islands, officially known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, lie deep in the Indian Ocean and have been under British administration since the 19th century. Mauritius has long maintained that it was compelled to relinquish control of the islands during negotiations for independence, a claim that has driven decades of diplomatic dispute.
