Thu Feb 27 20:32:06 UTC 2025: ## Trump Signals Support for Chagos Islands Deal

**Washington, D.C. – February 28, 2025** – U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated his support for a deal between Britain and Mauritius to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritian control. The agreement, reached late last year, involves Britain handing over the archipelago in exchange for a 99-year lease (with an option to extend) on Diego Garcia, a key U.S.-U.K. military base.

President Trump, speaking alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House, stated his belief that the deal, which includes a substantial annual lease payment estimated at £90 million ($111 million), will be successful. He highlighted the length of the lease – approximately 140 years – as a factor supporting his positive outlook.

The Chagos Islands, strategically located in the Indian Ocean, have been a source of contention since Britain retained control after Mauritius gained independence in the 1960s. The base on Diego Garcia has served as a crucial military facility for the U.S., particularly during conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The deal follows a 2019 International Court of Justice recommendation for the islands’ return to Mauritius and addresses years of legal challenges from evicted Chagos islanders seeking compensation.

British Prime Minister Starmer emphasized that the agreement secures the continued operation of the vital military base, which he said was jeopardized by the legal challenges to Britain’s ownership. However, Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has warned that his country will continue its pursuit of full sovereignty if the U.S. ultimately rejects the deal. The agreement hinges on U.S. approval, as the British government previously stated that the deal would be abandoned without Washington’s consent.

Read More