Chagos deal paused over Trump opposition, minister confirms
Chagos Deal Paused Over Trump Opposition, Minister Confirms
The UK’s plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has been indefinitely suspended due to Donald Trump’s withdrawal of support, according to Foreign Secretary Stephen Doughty. The agreement would have allowed the country to cede the territory to Mauritius while maintaining a joint military base on Diego Garcia, the archipelago’s largest island, in exchange for annual payments of £101 million.
Trump’s Shift Sparks Delay
Doughty’s statement in response to a Conservative Urgent Question highlighted Trump’s reversal on the treaty, which he had earlier endorsed. The president’s criticism of the deal as an “act of total weakness” in January has now led to a stalemate in negotiations. The minister emphasized that the revised agreement for joint UK-US operations on the base could not be finalized at the political level without Trump’s backing.
“Douglas appears to have changed his stance recently, making it impossible to secure political agreement on updating the 1966 Exchange of Notes,” Doughty stated.
The BBC reported earlier that Sir Keir Starmer had delayed the process, prompting Doughty to clarify that legislation would not advance in this parliamentary session. While the UK and Mauritius finalized an agreement last year, the final version of the Bill remains unapproved by both the Commons and Lords. The minister noted that no payments would occur during the pause, as the treaty is not yet ratified.
Financial and Strategic Concerns
The deal involves a total cost of £3.4 billion over 99 years, with the UK leasing back the Diego Garcia base. However, critics argue the true cost could rise to around £35 billion when adjusted for inflation. They also warn that the agreement might enable China to gain influence on the islands. The government has not yet decided whether to reintroduce the legislation next session, as officials will now consult with the US and Mauritius.
Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel pressed Doughty to confirm the government would not proceed without Trump’s support. She questioned if new legislation would be pushed forward even if it wasn’t in the King’s Speech. Doughty replied that the Conservatives initiated the process but left the future of the Bill uncertain.
Five other Bills from the current session will be carried over to the next parliamentary term, starting 13 May. However, the Chagos Bill is not among them, leaving its fate unclear. The prime minister’s spokesman reiterated that any developments would be announced officially, without speculation.
