The UK government has defended a deal to give the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back a key military base, following criticism from US President Donald Trump over its handling. In a post on social media, Trump labelled the move as an 'act of great stupidity' and 'total weakness', months after he and senior US officials endorsed it. In response, the UK government said it would 'never compromise on our national security', while the prime minister's official spokesperson insisted the US still supported the move.
The UK signed the £3.4bn ($4.6bn) agreement in May, under which it would retain control of a UK-US military base on the largest of the islands, Diego Garcia. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized the UK’s decision and voiced concerns about the implications for US military interests in the region, particularly regarding adversarial nations like China and Russia.
The UK government responded by highlighting the support the deal has from its allies, including the US, stating that it secures military operations for generations. The agreement marks a significant resolution to a longstanding dispute over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, which were separated from Mauritius in 1965 amid claims of coercion.
The authorities maintain that the deal is crucial for maintaining the operations of Diego Garcia, described as a critical asset for regional and global security. Despite the criticisms, the UK looks to affirm the strength of this agreement and proceed with legislative processes to implement it.}
The UK signed the £3.4bn ($4.6bn) agreement in May, under which it would retain control of a UK-US military base on the largest of the islands, Diego Garcia. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized the UK’s decision and voiced concerns about the implications for US military interests in the region, particularly regarding adversarial nations like China and Russia.
The UK government responded by highlighting the support the deal has from its allies, including the US, stating that it secures military operations for generations. The agreement marks a significant resolution to a longstanding dispute over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, which were separated from Mauritius in 1965 amid claims of coercion.
The authorities maintain that the deal is crucial for maintaining the operations of Diego Garcia, described as a critical asset for regional and global security. Despite the criticisms, the UK looks to affirm the strength of this agreement and proceed with legislative processes to implement it.}
