The United Kingdom has paused plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius following opposition from United States officials, the government said on Saturday.
The proposed agreement, which would see Britain cede control of the islands while retaining access to the strategically significant Diego Garcia base under a long-term lease, has been put on hold pending Washington’s approval.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government would continue discussions with U.S. authorities, stressing that the deal would only proceed with American backing. “We continue to believe the agreement is the best way to protect the long-term future of the base, but we have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has U.S. support,” the spokesperson said.
The pause follows criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who described the proposed arrangement earlier this year as “a big mistake.”
The legislation required to formalise the transfer will not be included in the government’s upcoming parliamentary agenda, according to reports.
The Chagos Islands host a joint UK-U.S. military facility on Diego Garcia, regarded as a key strategic asset for operations in the region. British officials said safeguarding the long-term operational security of the base remains a priority.
The territory has long been the subject of dispute. Britain removed around 2,000 indigenous Chagossians in the late 1960s and 1970s to make way for the military installation, an issue that continues to draw criticism from campaign groups advocating for their right to return.
Toby Noskwith, speaking on behalf of a Chagossian advocacy group, criticised the stalled agreement and called for greater focus on the rights and resettlement of displaced islanders. He questioned both the cost and legality of the negotiations, arguing that the interests of the Chagossian people had been sidelined.
The delay also comes amid broader tensions between London and Washington over foreign policy, including differences related to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
