In an extraordinary intervention into British sovereignty, former US President Donald Trump has issued a direct plea to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, urging him to block what he characterises as Keir Starmer's planned 'surrender' of the Chagos Islands.
A Strategic Lifeline in the Indian Ocean
The Chagos Archipelago, officially the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), is home to the strategically vital US military base on Diego Garcia. This base has been a cornerstone of Western military operations for decades, serving as a critical launchpad for missions in the Middle East and Asia.
According to a letter sent to Downing Street, Trump expressed 'profound concern' over rumours that a potential future Labour government under Starmer would negotiate the handover of the islands to Mauritius. He emphasised that such a move would constitute a 'grave strategic error' with far-reaching consequences.
Trump's Stark Warning to the UK
The former President's communication was unequivocal. He warned that ceding control of Diego Garcia would 'jeopardise American and British security' in a volatile region, potentially compromising a key intelligence and military asset. The letter underscores the deep-seated US interest in maintaining the status quo of the UK's sovereign control over the territory.
This intervention places Prime Minister Sunak in a delicate position, caught between the demands of a key ally and the complex legal and moral history surrounding the islands' disputed status.
The Shadow of a Labour Foreign Policy
The controversy stems from Labour's previous indications that it would seek to resolve the long-standing dispute with Mauritius. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has previously issued a non-binding opinion that the UK's administration of the islands is unlawful and that they should be returned.
However, critics argue that any transfer of sovereignty must guarantee the uninterrupted operation of the Diego Garcia base, a condition that is far from certain. Trump's letter amplifies these security concerns, framing them as a matter of global importance.
The government has yet to issue a formal response to Trump's plea, but the move is likely to ignite a fierce debate in Westminster about the future of this remote yet immensely significant overseas territory.
