Trump approves UK-Mauritius deal for Chagos islands

US President Donald Trump formally approved the proposed deal between the UK and Mauritius over the future of the Chagos Islands, clearing a major hurdle for the transfer of sovereignty.Downing Street confirmed on Tuesday that the agreement is now in its final stages, with Britain and Mauritius set to negotiate the remaining details before signing a treaty.A spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said, “We are now working with the Mauritian government to finalise the deal and sign the treaty,” as quoted by The Independent. The move follows months of discussions with the US, which had an effective veto over the agreement due to the strategic importance of Diego Garcia, the largest atoll in the Indian Ocean archipelago.The agreement will see Britain cede sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back Diego Garcia for an initial 99-year period, with an option to extend for another 40 years. The base, a key UK-US military asset, has played a vital role in security operations, including counterterrorism missions and regional surveillance.Trump had initially been sceptical of the plan, but when he met Starmer at the White House in February, he signalled his support. “I have a feeling it is going to work out very well,” he said at the time. “I think we will be inclined to go along with your country.” Now, his formal sign-off is expected to give the deal a smoother path to completion.However, the agreement has faced criticism from multiple fronts. Senior Republicans in the US warned that transferring the islands’ sovereignty could strengthen China’s influence in the region. At home, Starmer has come under fire from both the Conservatives, who initially launched the talks in 2022, and Reform UK, who argue that Britain is giving up a strategically vital territory unnecessarily.As per The Independent, critics have also raised concerns about the cost of the deal, which could reach as much as £18 billion. Some question why the UK is paying to lease back an airbase it already controls. Meanwhile, The Financial Times reported that UK officials reassured Washington that the agreement would not come at any expense to US taxpayers.Downing Street has not provided a timeline for the treaty’s finalisation, but sources close to the negotiations believe no further approvals are needed from Washington. The deal stems from an International Court of Justice ruling that Britain should end its sovereignty over the islands.