The Global Story Why is Donald Trump obsessed with the Chagos Islands?
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Mar 12, 2026 
James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent with deep experience in foreign affairs, unpacks why the Chagos Islands matter to US strategy. He discusses the Diego Garcia military base, the UK-Mauritius treaty and leaseback, and how the issue has become a political flashpoint tied to US reactions, election timing and worries about Chinese influence.
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Sovereignty Fight Versus Strategic Base
- The Chagos Islands dispute hinges on sovereignty claims by the UK and Mauritius and a vital US military interest centered on Diego Garcia.
- James Landale explains the UK agreed to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while the US base on Diego Garcia remains operational under lease terms.
Forced Eviction During Base Construction
- Diego Garcia was developed into a large military base in the late 1960s and early 1970s with US involvement and British ownership.
- Thousands of Chagossians were forcibly evicted to Mauritius, the Seychelles, or the UK during the base's construction.
99 Year Lease Keeps US Access
- The 2024 UK-Mauritius deal transfers sovereignty but leases the Diego Garcia base back for 99 years, preserving US access while addressing legal claims.
- The lease clears legal threats and includes substantial UK payments to Mauritius.