The White House is considering a proposal to buy the Chagos Islands from Mauritius, a move that could derail the UK’s plan to hand over sovereignty over the strategically important territory, according to a report in The Telegraph.The report stated that US officials had developed options to bypass Britain and negotiate directly over control of Diego Garcia, the main British-American military base in the Indian Ocean.She added that the proposal is part of a broader internal paper prepared by Donald Trump administration officials outlining alternatives to the agreement sought by the UK government led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.According to The Telegraph, US officials are concerned about the future of Diego Garcia, which hosts an important military facility used for long-range operations across West Asia.The White House is in “regular discussions” with Downing Street about securing the base’s long-term future, but a direct US purchase is now being considered as one of several possible paths.A US official told the media that Washington and London are working together “to preserve the viability of Diego Garcia as a regional security platform.”
Strategic concerns about the Mauritius deal
The UK had previously agreed to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining a long-term lease for Diego Garcia.
However, the US has raised objections amid concerns about security risks, especially given Mauritius’ diplomatic ties with China and Iran.Senior US officials fear that transferring sovereignty will increase the risk of surveillance threats around the strategically sensitive base.Diego Garcia is widely considered a major US military hub in the Indian Ocean, supporting long-range bomber missions and intelligence operations.
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Internal American proposals and political pressures
The US proposal is one of several options being considered in the policy paper, although it is not the leading plan at this stage, the report said. It also indicated that any acquisition would require coordination with Britain and subsequent negotiations with Mauritius.This idea has already been raised within US Treasury circles, and then presented to senior levels of the Trump administration.Trump had previously criticized the arrangement between the UK and Mauritius, describing it as an act of “huge stupidity” and warning that Britain was losing its strategic control over the territory.
Stalled UK-Mauritius agreement
The United Kingdom had planned to transfer ownership of the islands while re-leasing the Diego Garcia base for decades, but the deal faced delays amid US opposition.Downing Street had previously said that it would not proceed with any transfer unless Washington agreed to this arrangement, making US approval essential to the outcome.Mauritius has long opposed British sovereignty over the Chagos Islands in international forums, and the issue has remained the subject of an ongoing diplomatic dispute.Diego Garcia remains one of the most sensitive military installations jointly used by the UK and US, with analysts frequently highlighting its importance in global power projection.
