Trump tells Starmer ‘do not give away Diego Garcia’ in fresh attack on Chagos Islands deal
South China Morning Post
by Khushboo RazdanFebruary 18, 2026
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday sharply criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the UK’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, warning the deal could create strategic vulnerabilities amid concerns about China’s growing ties with Mauritius.
The deal, finalised in 2025 between Britain and Mauritius, would see Britain transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while securing a 99-year lease to maintain full operational control of...
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 2/18/2026