Under the treaty signed last year, the UK agreed to hand over sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius while leasing back the strategically important Diego Garcia military base for 99 years. The deal, valued at around £3.5 billion over the next century, was designed to secure continued UK and US access to the base.
However, the arrangement has come under renewed scrutiny following criticism from US President Donald Trump, who publicly urged Britain not to proceed with the transfer. He questioned the legal basis of the agreement and called on the UK not to “give away” the islands.
If the UK were to withdraw from the treaty, government sources reportedly fear that Mauritius could pursue damages through international legal channels for breach of obligations.
Mauritius has previously challenged Britain’s control of the islands in international courts and has secured favourable rulings in past disputes. The government in Port Louis is said to be seeking a substantial portion of the payments to be made early in the agreement, with significant funds intended to support national development and public finances.
The Diego Garcia base is jointly operated by the UK and US and plays a key role in regional and global security operations. The agreement was structured to ensure long term continuity of the base under British lease arrangements.
Trump described the legal reasoning behind the deal as unfounded and urged the UK government to maintain control of Diego Garcia, emphasising the importance of the UK US defence relationship.
The Foreign Office has maintained that securing continued access to Diego Garcia was central to the negotiations. A spokesperson said the agreement was intended to guarantee that the base remains operational and secure for decades to come, allowing both countries to continue using the facility as they have historically done.
The future of the treaty now appears uncertain as political pressure mounts, raising questions about potential financial liabilities, international legal consequences and the long term status of one of Britain’s most strategically significant overseas military sites.
