The United Kingdom has shelved plans to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following strong opposition from US President Donald Trump, a government spokesperson said on Saturday.
“We have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has US support,” the spokesperson stated, amid reports that legislation to transfer sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago had run out of time in parliament.
According to the BBC, a new bill on the Chagos Islands is not expected to be introduced, citing UK government officials.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement but acknowledged it could not proceed without backing from Washington, as reported by The Times.
Under the deal reached in May, Britain had agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining a long-term lease on Diego Garcia, home to a key US-UK military base.
Trump, who initially endorsed the agreement, later criticised it in January, describing it as a strategic misstep. Diego Garcia has been used by the United States for military operations, including in conflicts involving Iran.
The proposed agreement would have seen Britain lease the base for up to 99 years, with an option to extend, reportedly at an annual cost of £90 million.
Starmer has previously argued that international legal rulings have cast doubt on Britain’s claim to the islands and that a deal with Mauritius is necessary to ensure the continued operation of the military base.
In 2019, the International Court of Justice advised that Britain should return the archipelago to Mauritius.
The dispute also remains contentious due to the forced displacement of thousands of Chagos islanders, many of whom have pursued legal claims for compensation in British courts.
