The UK has agreed to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, but due to President Trump's refusal to acknowledge this decision, the plan to transfer sovereignty over the islands has been halted. Since there is a joint military base between the United States and the UK on Diogo Garcia Island, the Trump administration has started to consider other options.
According to a report by the British 'Daily Telegraph' on June 7, White House officials are drafting a plan to bypass Britain and reach an agreement with Mauritius to ‘acquire’ the Chagoss Islands, aiming to directly control the islands. Sources say that although ‘acquiring the islands’ is not the White House's preferred option, officials have presented this plan to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Bieber, who then submitted it to Trump.
The Chagos Islands are located in the Indian Ocean and have been under British control since 1814. In 1965, Britain separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius and established a military base on their largest island, Diego Garcia, together with the United States. This base was used to deploy American naval vessels, bombers, and other military forces. During the construction of this base, thousands of residents on the islands were expelled.
After Mauritius gained independence in 1968, it dedicated a long time to the effort to regain control of the Chagoss Archipelago and gained support from the international community. On May 22, 2025, the UK signed an agreement, officially transferring the sovereignty of the Chagoss Archipelago to Mauritius. The Diego Garcia military base will continue to be leased by Mauritius to the United States and the UK.
British Prime Minister Sturme said that the agreement was supported by Trump, and U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo also announced that Trump “supports this groundbreaking achievement”. However, in January this year, Trump suddenly changed his stance, publicly criticizing Britain for “surrendering” extremely important land to Mauritius, claiming that Britain had made a “very stupid” decision.
On April 11 local time, the British government announced that due to failing to gain Trump's support, the UK would suspend the plan to transfer the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius.
Location of the Chagos Islands
Sources recently revealed to The Daily Telegraph that the US government is formulating a plan to directly control the Chagos Islands, which includes bypassing Britain and reaching an agreement with Mauritius to “acquire” the islands.
The report indicates that the Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Islands is of great significance to the United States. It allows for the inclusion of Iran within the U.S. strike range, and U.S. B-2 bombers can launch air strikes on Tehran from this base. Since Mauritius maintains good relations with China, U.S. officials also mention the so-called “China threat,” claiming that Britain’s transfer of sovereignty over the islands could lead to an increase in “sea-based espionage activities.”
According to sources, although ‘purchase of the island’ is not the preferred option of the White House, the idea was presented to Treasury Secretary Sebastian by officials, and Sebastian submitted it to Trump.
According to The Daily Telegraph, it is unclear what price the United States has offered for the Chagos Islands. Initially, the UK planned to lease the Diego Garcia military base for 9.9 million pounds after the transfer of sovereignty. If the US government wants to control these islands, it needs to approve the UK’s sovereignty transfer agreement first, and then negotiate with Mauritius after the transfer of sovereignty is completed.
An American official revealed that the U.S. government has been in contact with the British government, regularly discussing issues related to Diego Garcia Island.
Although the U.S. government has not officially proposed a “purchase of the island” plan, the relevant news has already caused concerns. Analysts worry that this could undermine the modern diplomatic system.
The Daily Telegraph published a commentary on the 7th, stating that the ideas of the Trump administration remind people of history from the 19th and early 20th centuries, when the United States often spent money to purchase strategic assets.
In 1803, the United States purchased Louisiana from France, doubling its territorial size in America and ensuring control over the Mississippi River and New Orleans port. In 1867, the United States acquired Alaska from Tsar Russia, which provided America with important military bases, abundant natural resources, and access to the Arctic and Pacific Oceans.
The last major acquisition in the United States of this kind was in 1917, when the Danish West Indies were purchased for $25 million, making them what are now the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The article indicates that after the end of World War II in 1945, the practice of purchasing territory with cash basically disappeared. The establishment of the United Nations made national boundaries more fixed and sovereign, and territory was no longer considered a commodity that could be traded through simple commercial transactions.
But Trump seems to believe that most problems in the world can be resolved like business transactions. The Daily Telegraph is concerned that as Trump continues to rewrite U.S. foreign policy, international consensus is being undermined, and the idea of buying the Chagos Islands could lead to the “end of modern diplomacy”.
