UK hands over Chagos Islands to Mauritius: Potential impact on the U.S.

In a landmark agreement announced in October 2024, the United Kingdom agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending more than five decades of British control. While Mauritius now assumes sovereignty, the UK retains control of Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago, for at least 99 years, where a vital U.S.-UK military base operates. This deal has far-reaching implications in matters of global security, especially for the United States, while raising concerns about potential Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean region.

The U.S. military presence on Diego Garcia

The U.S. military base on Diego Garcia has been a crucial asset for global operations since the Cold War. Strategically located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, the base provides a launchpad for operations across the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa. The location of the island remains critical for monitoring vital shipping lanes and projecting military power across the region​.

The recent UK-Mauritius deal ensures that the U.S. can continue their  operations from Diego Garcia for at least 99 years under a renewed lease arrangement. U.S. officials have welcomed the stability this agreement provides, ensuring that the base remains fully operational to support global security efforts. The White House applauded the agreement, emphasizing its importance for safeguarding American interests in a region increasingly contested by rival powers​. 

However, the U.S. Republicans have criticized the deal. They are apprehensive of the deal as they fear that the deal can pave ways for China to expand its operations in the Indian Ocean and the fact that Mauritius has close relations with China, it can allow China access to other islands, thereby threatening America’s position.

Considerable shift in U.S.-UK relations

While the deal secures U.S. operations on Diego Garcia, it also reflects shifting dynamics in U.S.-UK relations and their approach to global security. British officials argued that without the transfer of sovereignty, the continued legal disputes and diplomatic tensions could have jeopardized the secure operation of the base​

The Chagossian diaspora has voiced frustration with the terms of the agreement, especially since they were not directly involved in the negotiations. Although the UK has committed to funding a resettlement program for the Chagossians, their right to return is limited to islands outside Diego Garcia. For many displaced islanders, the lack of meaningful involvement in deciding their future remains a sore point​.

The transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands from the UK to Mauritius marks a significant shift in regional geopolitics, with potential global consequences. While the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia remains secure for now, concerns about China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean underscore the complexities of this deal. As Mauritius looks to its future, both the U.S. and the UK will need to maintain strong diplomatic ties to prevent any shifts in the balance of power in this strategically important region.