In a significant diplomatic shift, former US President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Sir Keir Starmer's controversial agreement to hand the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius. This move comes despite Trump's earlier, vehement criticism of the deal, which he previously denounced as "an act of great stupidity". The Labour leader's plan is designed to secure the long-term future of the strategically vital UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, located within the archipelago.
A Dramatic Reversal on a Critical Defence Issue
The US President's initial support for the agreement was followed by a dramatic and public reversal, where he lambasted the proposed transfer. Sir Keir Starmer had accused Trump of attempting to use the Chagos deal as leverage to pressure the United Kingdom over unrelated matters, specifically citing the issue of Greenland. However, in a recent development, Trump has once again swung behind the agreement.
"Very Productive" Talks and a Conditional Endorsement
Taking to his Truth Social platform, the former President described his discussions with Sir Keir as "very productive", signalling a thaw in tensions. His post confirmed a renewed backing for the arrangement that would see sovereignty of the Chagos Islands transferred to Mauritius. Crucially, however, Trump attached a significant condition to his support.
He explicitly stated that he retains the right to militarily secure and reinforce the American presence on Diego Garcia should the lease agreement fail or if base operations come under any form of threat. This underscores the paramount importance Washington places on the base's uninterrupted function for global military logistics and power projection.
Securing Diego Garcia's Strategic Future
The core of Sir Keir Starmer's deal with Mauritius is the preservation of the Diego Garcia facility. The base is a linchpin for US and UK military operations in the Indian Ocean and beyond, hosting bombers, surveillance aircraft, and naval support assets. The agreement seeks to formalise its status through a long-term lease, ensuring its continued operation even after the sovereignty change.
This diplomatic manoeuvring highlights the complex interplay between post-colonial sovereignty disputes and modern strategic defence needs. The Chagos Islands have been a point of contention for decades, with Mauritius long claiming rightful ownership, while the UK has maintained control to host the US military. Starmer's policy aims to resolve this historical grievance while pragmatically safeguarding a critical military asset.
Trump's latest endorsement, albeit conditional, provides a crucial, if unpredictable, external validation for the Labour leader's foreign policy approach. It moves the deal beyond a bilateral UK-Mauritius issue into the realm of affirmed US-UK defence cooperation, albeit with the former President's characteristic emphasis on American security prerogatives.
