Britain’s government has pulled a planned parliamentary debate on a bill scheduled for Monday (Jan. 27) that would formalize its agreement to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
The deal would keep the strategic Diego Garcia military base in the hands of the U.S. and the U.K.
The U.K. would lease the site from Mauritius for about $135 million a year for 99 years.
The move has sparked political backlash at home and abroad.
In a Truth Social post last week, U.S. President Donald Trump blasted Britain’s plan to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, saying “The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired.”
He also said that the move would signal total weakness to China and Russia.
“There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness,” Trump added. “These are International Powers who only recognize STRENGTH, which is why the United States of America, under my leadership, is now, after only one year, respected like never before.”
U.K. lawmakers paused the debate on the bill, citing geopolitical tensions and concerns the deal would undermine security arrangements with the U.S.
The government says it remains committed to the agreement, calling the Diego Garcia base vital to national security and regional stability.
Trump’s comments have added to the pressure, rattling the U.K. government and fueling debate over whether the handover should be reconsidered.
For now, the bill is on hold and will come back up in Parliament later, leaving the future of the Chagos deal and its geopolitical fallout uncertain.
