WASHINGTON, — June 07, 2026 : The Trump administration is examining the possibility of purchasing the Chagos Islands directly from Mauritius as part of an effort to secure permanent U.S. control over the strategically important Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, according to a report by The Telegraph.
The proposal is being considered as an alternative to the sovereignty transfer agreement negotiated between the United Kingdom and Mauritius, under which Britain would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius while retaining access to Diego Garcia through a 99-year lease arrangement.
According to reports, the White House is evaluating whether direct ownership of the islands would provide greater long-term security and operational certainty for U.S. military activities in the region. The option remains under review and has not been adopted as official U.S. policy.
Concerns Over Existing UK-Mauritius Agreement
The initiative follows growing concerns within Washington regarding the UK-Mauritius agreement reached in 2025. Under that arrangement, Mauritius would assume sovereignty over the archipelago while the United Kingdom and the United States would continue operating the military facility on Diego Garcia under a long-term lease.
President Donald Trump has publicly criticized the agreement, describing the decision to transfer sovereignty as an act of “great stupidity” and a sign of weakness. He has urged British Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to proceed with what he views as the relinquishment of a strategically valuable territory.
Following U.S. objections, the United Kingdom reportedly paused ratification of the agreement while seeking broader support and consultation with Washington.
Strategic Importance of Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago, hosts a joint UK-U.S. military facility and is regarded as one of the most important American military installations outside the continental United States.
Located in the central Indian Ocean, the base serves as a key logistical hub for long-range bomber operations, naval deployments, intelligence missions, and regional military support activities. The facility currently hosts approximately 2,500 U.S. military personnel and support staff.
The base has played a significant role in military operations across West Asia, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific region. It has supported B-2 bomber deployments, operations against Houthi targets in Yemen, and humanitarian missions, including aid-related activities connected to Gaza.
Recent reports also noted that Diego Garcia was used as a staging location for long-range bomber missions targeting Iranian-linked threats, reinforcing its importance to U.S. military planning.
Security and Geopolitical Considerations
A major factor behind the proposed purchase is concern among U.S. officials regarding Mauritius's expanding diplomatic and economic relationships with China and Iran.
Washington fears that allowing a country perceived as maintaining close ties with Beijing to hold sovereignty over the archipelago could create future security challenges, including potential surveillance risks and restrictions affecting military operations.
The concerns come amid increasing Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean and growing cooperation between China and Iran in regional security and maritime affairs.
Supporters of direct ownership argue that purchasing the islands would eliminate uncertainty associated with lease agreements and prevent any future disputes over sovereignty from affecting access to the base.
Direct Purchase Under Consideration
An internal policy paper reportedly outlines the option of negotiating directly with Mauritius for the acquisition of the Chagos Islands. Such a move would effectively bypass the UK-Mauritius sovereignty arrangement and provide the United States with full ownership of the territory.
No details regarding a possible purchase price, negotiation framework, or timeline have been publicly disclosed. Neither the U.S., UK, nor Mauritian governments have officially confirmed discussions on a direct sale.
The proposal reflects a broader emphasis by the Trump administration on securing long-term control over critical strategic assets. Observers have noted parallels between the Chagos Islands discussion and Trump's renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, which he has also described as important for U.S. national security.
Long-Running Sovereignty Dispute
The dispute over the Chagos Archipelago has continued for decades. Mauritius has maintained that the islands were unlawfully separated from its territory by Britain in 1965 before the country gained independence.
International legal bodies, including the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, have supported Mauritius's claim that the archipelago should be returned to Mauritian sovereignty. The UK-Mauritius agreement was intended to resolve these longstanding legal and diplomatic issues while preserving the operation of the Diego Garcia base.
With the future of that agreement now uncertain, the Trump administration's review of a direct purchase option highlights the continued strategic value of Diego Garcia and the importance Washington places on maintaining uninterrupted military access in the Indian Ocean.
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