US says it supports UK Chagos Islands deal

February 18, 2026

The United States has formally endorsed the United Kingdom's agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while maintaining a 99-year lease on the Diego Garcia military base. This support comes after President Trump initially criticized the deal as extremely foolish before reversing his position to call it the best arrangement possible. The US State Department emphasized that continued access to Diego Garcia is crucial for American national security and regional stability in the Indian Ocean.

Who is affected

The UK government and its armed forces
The US government and military personnel stationed at Diego Garcia
The government and people of Mauritius
Former residents of the Chagos Islands who were displaced
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump
The UK Prime Minister and government officials
Denmark (mentioned in context of broader tensions with the US)

What action is being taken

The US Department of State is providing official backing for the UK-Mauritius agreement
The UK is proceeding with the agreement to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius
The UK is leasing back Diego Garcia for 99 years
Talks between the US and Mauritius are planned for next week in Port Louis
The US and UK armed forces are continuing to use the Diego Garcia military base

Why it matters

This agreement is significant because Diego Garcia serves as a strategically vital military installation for both US and UK operations in the Indian Ocean region. The base's continued operation is considered essential for American national security interests and maintaining security and stability across the Indian Ocean. The deal also resolves a long-standing territorial dispute, as Mauritius has argued for decades that it was illegally forced to cede the islands during its independence negotiations. The agreement's approval helps stabilize relations between the involved nations after a period of uncertainty created by President Trump's initial opposition and broader tensions between the US and European allies.

What's next

Talks between the US and Mauritius will take place next week in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius
These discussions will focus on security cooperation and effective implementation of security arrangements to ensure long-term success between the Mauritius government and the US

Read full article from source: BBC