The British government announced on 11/4 that it had postponed its plan to return the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius, following an agreement signed between the two countries in 5/2025. The bill to implement the island return agreement was not included in the British parliament's agenda, as it was unlikely to be passed before the session concluded.

The bill also lacked an official letter of support from Washington, a necessary legal condition for implementing the agreement with Mauritius. 'We have always stated that the agreement could only proceed with US support', a British government spokesperson told BBC.

Under the initial plan, after returning sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius, Britain would lease back Diego Garcia island for 99 years with an option for extension. Diego Garcia is home to a joint British-US military base and serves as a vital outpost for both nations in the Indian Ocean.

Diego Garcia, an island in the Chagos archipelago and site of a strategic US and British air base in the Indian Ocean, pictured in 2013. Photo: *Reuters*

US President Donald Trump had repeatedly criticized Britain's plan to return the islands. In statements earlier this year, he called the move 'foolish' and 'weak', arguing that returning Chagos to Mauritius could be exploited by US strategic rivals.

The British government stated it has not entirely abandoned its plan to return the islands to Mauritius, believing it is the most suitable option for all parties.

'Diego Garcia is a crucial strategic military asset for both Britain and the US. Ensuring the long-term operational security of the base is and will remain our priority. This is also why we signed the agreement. We will continue to engage with the US and Mauritius', a British government spokesperson stated.

The location of the Chagos archipelago and Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Graphic: *DW*

The Chagos archipelago, part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, consists of about 60 islands and has been under London's control since the 19th century. Diego Garcia is the largest island in the archipelago, covering 30 km2.

Britain maintained control of the archipelago after Mauritius gained independence in the 1960s. Historically, thousands of Chagos residents were forcibly removed from their homes, leading to numerous lawsuits seeking compensation in British courts.

In 2019, the International Court of Justice recommended that Britain return the archipelago to Mauritius. The British government subsequently argued that only an agreement with Mauritius could ensure the long-term future of the Diego Garcia base.

By Thanh Danh (BBC, Reuters, AFP)