Chagos deal paused over Trump opposition, minister confirms

Chagos Agreement Stalled by Trump’s Withdrawal, Foreign Minister Affirms

UK Foreign Minister Stephen Doughty has stated that the Chagos Islands agreement is indefinitely delayed due to President Donald Trump’s reversal of support. The pact would have transferred sovereignty of the territory to Mauritius while enabling the UK to lease a joint military base on Diego Garcia for £101 million annually. Trump previously endorsed the treaty but shifted his stance in January, condemning it as an “act of total weakness.”

Doughty’s announcement came after a Conservative Urgent Question, responding to a BBC report that Sir Keir Starmer had postponed the deal. During a Commons address, he emphasized Trump’s role, expressing frustration as he confirmed the legislation would not move forward in the current session. Earlier Monday, the prime minister’s spokesperson avoided pledging to reintroduce the bill before the May 13 parliamentary session begins.

The minister highlighted that updating the Exchange of Notes—essential for treaty ratification—has become “impossible to agree at political level” between the UK and US. This despite the 1966 agreement being “negotiated in close co-ordination with the United States under both this and the previous administrations,” with Trump once calling it “very strong and powerful.” Doughty noted: “The US president’s position has shifted, making it unfeasible to finalize an update to the 1966 UK-US treaty concerning the British Indian Ocean Territory.”

“It’s regrettable that we’ve run out of time in this session, but the need for the treaty remains unchanged,” Doughty remarked.

The Chagos Bill, which aims to end UK control over the islands, was signed last May but lacks final approval from both Commons and Lords. With the deal unratified, no payments will occur during the pause, as Doughty confirmed to former Conservative minister Dame Harriett Baldwin. He stressed: “The costs associated with this treaty cannot be settled without its passage and relevant legislation.”

Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel pressed Doughty to guarantee the government would not proceed without Trump’s backing. She questioned: “Will he rule out new legislation next session, even if it’s not in the King’s Speech, to prevent the surrender treaty from taking effect?” Doughty replied that the Conservatives initiated the process but left the future of a fresh Bill unspecified.

Prime Minister’s spokesman declined to commit to resubmitting the bill, stating: “Any legislation will be announced in the usual manner.” While five other bills are carried over to the May 13 session, the Chagos Bill is not included. Officials will now “discuss next steps with the US and Mauritius,” the spokesperson added.

Under the 2022 agreement, the UK would transfer sovereignty to Mauritius but retain Diego Garcia’s base for 99 years, valued at £3.4 billion. Critics, however, argue the actual cost could reach £35 billion when adjusted for inflation, and warn the deal might allow China to gain strategic influence in the region.