Trump withdraws support for Chagos deal as four Chagossians land on disputed archipelago saying they plan to settle there
Times of India
by NAOMI CANTONFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
US President Donald Trump has made a significant reversal by withdrawing US support for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's deal to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. In a Truth Social post, Trump criticized the 99-year lease for Diego Garcia—a key joint US-UK military base—as "tenuous" and warned against giving up control of the island. He emphasized that maintaining the base is crucial for potential conflicts with Iran.
The Chagos Islands, which include Diego Garcia, are strategically vital due to their military significance in Asia. Trump's opposition highlights the tension between the UK and Mauritius over sovereignty. Meanwhile, four Chagossians, including Misley Mandarin, have arrived on the archipelago by rubber dinghy, intending to settle there despite being forcibly removed by the UK decades ago.
The UK government has rejected their arrival as an "illegal unsafe stunt" and issued eviction notices. Starmer remains committed to the deal, viewing it as essential for ensuring the long-term future of Diego Garcia's military base. This situation underscores the complex interplay of political, legal, and historical issues surrounding the Chagos Islands.
The dispute over the Chagos Islands is significant globally because it involves US-UK relations, strategic interests in Asia, and ongoing human rights concerns related to displaced Chagossians. The potential fallout from Trump's reversal could strain diplomatic ties and complicate efforts to resolve the sovereignty issue with Mauritius.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/19/2026