Topline
The United Kingdom’s Labor Government’s proposed handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius threatens U.S. access to the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia -crippling American power projection efforts in the Indian Ocean. Iran has launched missiles at Diego Garcia as recently as March 20, 2026.
Andrew Hale, Fellow; John Peluso, Policy Analyst
The Mauritius Government Threatens American Security
- The Mauritius government is an unstable socialist regime that relies on aid and close ties with the Chinese Communist party. It is also a corrupt haven for international money laundering, drug trafficking and organized crime.
- Mauritius would likely allow the Chinese to expand intelligence operations in the Indian Ocean by building nominally civilian facilities on adjacent islands to Diego Garcia and giving access to the Chinese fishing ‘militia’.
- More than 6,000 Mauritius government officials were sponsored by the Chinese government, with many flown directly to Beijing for training programs.
Mauritius Could Evict America from the Island
- Mauritius could end the UK-US agreement and eject the US military from Diego Garcia.
- America spent more than $173 million by 1977 to construct Diego Garcia. Adjusting to modern costs, replacing the base could cost US taxpayers at least $1.9 billion.
Mauritian Sovereignty Could Compromise Military Operations
- Mauritius signed the African Pelindaba Treaty which establishes a nuclear weapon free zone in African signatories. Mauritius has signed and will include Diego Garcia if it takes sovereignty. This deal, and its inspection regime, could interfere with US nuclear forces operations. Mauritius has also agreed to enforce Pelindaba.
- The deal requires the both the U.K. to inform the Mauritius government about any UK and USA ongoing military operations and installations, adding further to Chinese espionage risks.
Mauritius Perpetuates Harm to Chagossians
- Mauritius has never held sovereignty over Diego Garcia or any of the Chagos islands. The islands and their inhabitants have been British since 1814.
- The majority of Chagossians wish to remain British and support the military base. Some have started to return home this year. As a United Nations Committee has accurately warned, the deal does not guarantee the Chagossians’ right to return home.
- The irony is that conservative politicians have advocated for the rights of the indigenous Chagossians while leftwing politicians have advocated for the Militant Socialist regime in Mauritius to appease their colonial guilt.
Bottom Line
The United States cannot allow the Chagos Islands and Diego Garcia to be yielded to Mauritius. It can prevent the deal by issuing a proclamation to the UK. The United States can issue a formal congressional finding that the transfer threatens US national security and undermines the treaty obligations between the United Kingdom and the United States.
