Mauritius Stands Firm on Chagos Sovereignty Amid US-Britain Negotiations

Mauritius asserts its non-negotiable sovereignty over the Chagos Islands as reports surface that the Trump administration might propose buying them. The White House is looking for alternatives to the UK transferring sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius. The British deal faced criticism from Trump, citing past displacement of Chagossians.

Mauritius has firmly reiterated its sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, following reports that the Trump administration is contemplating purchasing the islands from the Indian Ocean nation.

The Mauritian government emphasized it has not received any formal proposal from the U.S., nor been approached regarding an agreement related to Diego Garcia or the Chagos Archipelago. The statement followed a Telegraph report suggesting options drafted by the White House intended to offer solutions amidst Britain’s pending decision on the sovereignty of the islands.

In April, Britain delayed its plan to cede sovereignty due to the strategic location housing the U.S.-British Diego Garcia airbase. President Donald Trump had labeled the original plan a 'big mistake', considering the historical displacement of indigenous Chagossians during the 1960s-70s for establishing the military base.