Trump Backs UK’s Chagos Handover to Mauritius Despite China Concerns

President Trump has approved the UK’s controversial decision to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The move includes a 99-year lease for the strategic Diego Garcia military base jointly operated by the US and UK. Announced by the British Prime Minister’s office it ends 211 years of British control over the Indian Ocean territory.

The agreement allows the US and UK to maintain operations on Diego Garcia a key asset in countering threats in the region. Mauritius a nation with growing ties to China will assume control of the archipelago. Critics warn this could give Beijing a foothold near a vital military outpost raising national security questions.

Diego Garcia has been a cornerstone of US defense strategy since the Cold War hosting ships and aircraft. The base’s location in the Indian Ocean makes it critical for monitoring Asia and the Middle East. Trump’s approval reportedly hinges on assurances that China won’t gain access to the area.

The UK will pay Mauritius 90 million dollars annually for the lease totaling at least 9 billion over 99 years. This deal aims to resolve a decades long dispute after a 2019 UN ruling called British control unlawful. Chagossians exiled in the 1970s remain divided with some demanding a return to their homeland.

Opponents in the US including some Republican lawmakers fear Mauritius’ economic links to China. They argue the handover risks compromising a base once used to counter Soviet influence. The Trump administration insists the lease terms protect American interests against such threats.

British officials frame the decision as righting a historical wrong while securing Diego Garcia’s future. The agreement bars Mauritius from leasing other Chagos islands to rival powers like China. Still skeptics question whether Mauritius can resist Beijing’s growing regional clout.

Chagossian activists argue the deal ignores their right to self determination. Many now UK citizens want a referendum on the islands’ fate rather than Mauritian rule. The handover’s final terms await parliamentary approval in London amid heated debate.

Trump’s support reflects a pragmatic approach prioritizing military continuity over territorial disputes. It also strengthens US UK ties as both nations navigate a shifting global landscape. Whether this gambit holds against China’s ambitions will test the deal’s durability in the years ahead.