Donald Trump is reportedly considering making a move to acquire the Chagos Islands after abandoning his unsuccessful attempt to purchase Greenland, as per recent reports. The Chagos Islands, under British control in the Indian Ocean, have been a topic of ongoing discussions between the UK and Mauritius regarding sovereignty. Earlier this year, a deal to transfer sovereignty was halted after the US withdrew its support. The islands are home to Diego Garcia, a joint UK-US military base housing highly classified facilities in a region facing strategic challenges from China.
Allegedly, Trump is exploring the option of buying the Chagos Islands for the US to shift focus from the failed Greenland deal, which encountered strong opposition from NATO allies earlier this year. The proposed plan involves bypassing the UK entirely. One potential strategy, reportedly devised by the White House and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, entails declaring the islands as sovereign, no longer part of the British Indian Ocean Territory. This move would enable the US to directly negotiate a purchase with Mauritius.
US officials are concerned that if Mauritius gains control of the archipelago, it could lead to maritime espionage and jeopardize the security of the Diego Garcia base. However, it remains uncertain whether Mauritius, whose sovereignty over the islands has been recognized by international courts, would entertain an American offer, particularly after previously leasing the islands back to Britain for 99 years before the US withdrawal from the agreement. Estimates suggest that an outright purchase of the territory could cost around $20 billion (£15 billion).
These developments come amidst growing worries regarding Chinese and Iranian influence in the Indian Ocean, following the targeting of the base by ballistic missiles launched from Tehran during recent conflicts. In March, one missile reportedly failed in flight and crashed, while a second missile was successfully intercepted by an SM-3 missile launched from a US warship.
The significance of Diego Garcia and the Chagos Islands in geopolitics has been a topic of discussion. Ben Judah, a former special advisor to David Lammy during his tenure as foreign secretary, highlighted the importance of retaining access to the airbase due to its secretive and critical facilities that play a significant role in British global operations.
