Africa-Press. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump have agreed to continue working together to ensure the ongoing operation of the joint US–UK military base at Diego Garcia, located in the Chagos archipelago in the Indian Ocean, following weeks of diplomatic tensions between the two countries over the future of this highly sensitive area.
The agreement was reached during a phone call between the two leaders. 10 Downing Street said both sides emphasized the strategic importance of the base, confirming that London and Washington will continue close cooperation to maintain its readiness and security role.
In a separate statement, a spokesperson for the British prime minister said Starmer and Trump reaffirmed that Diego Garcia is a critical element of national security and that ensuring the continuity of its operations is a shared priority.
These statements come as a proposed agreement by the United Kingdom — under which the Chagos Islands would be returned to Mauritius, while London retains the right to lease Diego Garcia for 99 years — has sparked widespread political debate.
The arrangement is estimated to cost £35 billion (around €40 billion) over the next century, aimed at safeguarding the long-term operation of the joint US–UK military base in the region.
US President Donald Trump had sharply criticized London’s decision to return the islands to Mauritius, writing on his Truth Social platform that “the United Kingdom giving up such critically important land is a massive mistake.” He linked the issue to other matters he views as affecting national security, including his repeated calls to annex Greenland.
Starmer, for his part, said Trump’s remarks were part of an attempt to pressure his government, noting that the shift in the US position is also connected to the stance of the United Kingdom and other European countries supporting Greenland in the face of Washington’s ambitions to control it—an idea that has generated significant controversy since it was first raised.
The debate is being closely watched by Chagos islanders, who have previously expressed relief at the UK’s adoption of draft legislation allowing the return of the islands to Mauritius, while continuing to demand an end to decades of forced displacement and the restoration of their historical rights over the archipelago.
