The White House has yet to determine its stance on a UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Islands, a decision with significant national security implications for the strategic UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell met with his US counterpart Mike Waltz in Washington to discuss the matter, but sources familiar with the discussions indicated that the Trump administration’s review is still ongoing. British officials had initially hoped for a resolution ahead of Powell’s visit but now acknowledge that further consultations are necessary.
“The Trump administration continues to assess the British government’s agreement with Mauritius and its potential impact on the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia,” a White House official stated.
Under the proposed deal, the UK would lease Diego Garcia for 99 years, ensuring continued military cooperation. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer initially aimed to finalize the agreement before Donald Trump’s inauguration but later opted to present it for US approval before concluding negotiations.
As a long-time advocate for the base’s strategic importance, Waltz previously raised concerns about any changes to its status. In a 2022 letter, he highlighted Diego Garcia’s critical role in US military operations, particularly in providing nuclear-capable bombers access to key maritime zones and Chinese installations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also discussed the matter with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Although official readouts from their recent call omitted direct references to the Chagos issue, sources confirmed that Rubio emphasized concerns over China’s influence. The two are expected to address the matter further during the upcoming Munich Security Conference.
Amid mounting pressure from Conservative lawmakers, Starmer defended the deal in the House of Commons, stressing its significance for national security and legal clarity regarding the base’s status. However, with Washington yet to take a position, the future of the agreement remains uncertain.
