Donald Trump Approves UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands Sovereignty Deal

The agreement, which includes a 99-year lease for the Diego Garcia military base, is now being finalized between the UK and Mauritius following Trump's sign-off.

Donald Trump has formally signed off on the UK-Mauritius agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands while securing a 99-year lease for the Diego Garcia military base.
The treaty is now in its final stages, with the UK and Mauritius working to finalize and sign the agreement soon.
The deal follows a 2019 International Court of Justice ruling affirming Mauritius' sovereignty over the Chagos Islands.
Critics have raised concerns over the reported £18 billion cost of the deal and the decision to lease back a strategically vital airbase already under UK control.
Diego Garcia remains a critical asset for UK-US security strategy in the Indo-Pacific, with the lease ensuring continued military use despite earlier concerns from Trump over its terms.