“This deal secures the operations of the joint US-UK base on Diego Garcia for generations,” the spokesperson added, referring to the largest of the Chagos islands. Mauritius said they had “taken note” of Trump’s comments criticising the deal, but said the issue was no longer up for debate. ‘Significant contributions’The UK kept control of the Chagos Islands after Mauritius gained independence from Britain in the 1960s. Challenges in international and domestic courts had left the status of the military base “under threat”, according to the UK Government. The UK Government spokesperson insisted the base was “one of the most significant contributions to the UK and US intelligence and security relationship”.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 20, 2026 17:30 UTC