UK stalls Chagos Islands deal until Trump administration can ‘consider detail’
GuardianJAN 23
UK Confirms Trump Will Review Chagos Islands Deal
Above: The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), or Chagos Islands (formerly the Oil Islands), is an overseas territory of the UK situated in the Indian Ocean, halfway between Africa and Indonesia. Image copyright: Pictures From History/Contributor/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
While this agreement was never perfect, it was certainly a positive step toward freeing the Chagossian people from colonial rule. The US would still use Diego Garcia for military purposes, but at least it would be returned to a pre-colonial power: Mauritius. If rejected by Trump, the Chagossian people will likely remain colonial subjects for the foreseeable future.
Right narrative
After weeks of hysterical stubbornness, Starmer has finally made the right decision. Under this deal, the UK would have paid Chagos millions of pounds per year for 99 years, with no guarantee that it would distance itself from China. Now Trump, who understands this national security issue very well, will likely toss this faulty agreement into the dustbin of history once and for all.
Cynical narrative
The Chagos Islands deal was never as black and white as its fierce proponents and opponents portrayed it. Those claiming it was about decolonization, which was a facade to mask US-UK strategic goals, never truly cared about displaced Chagossians. Echoing Hong Kong's handover, the UK's promises ring hollow, while China’s influence in Mauritius risks regional security, turning the islands into geopolitical pawns.