“Don’t Give Away Diego Garcia”: Trump Warns UK Pointing It A Big Mistake

Washington : Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly urged British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to halt plans to hand control of the Chagos Islands, including the strategic military territory of Diego Garcia, to Mauritius, saying the move would be a serious error, according to reports including Reuters.

In a message on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, Trump warned the UK against relinquishing sovereignty in exchange for a long-term lease on the Indian Ocean island, which hosts a joint U.S. – UK military base crucial for operations across the region. He insisted that entering a 100-year lease would mean Britain was effectively losing influence over the territory.

Trump stressed that the land should remain under full British control and described the proposed arrangement as a “big mistake” that could weaken both British and allied security. He wrote, “DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!”, framing his warning in stark terms and linking the issue to broader geopolitical dynamics.

The comments come just after the U.S. State Department reaffirmed Washington’s support for the UK-Mauritius agreement, under which Britain would transfer sovereignty of the islands but lease back Diego Garcia for the next century. That pact was agreed in 2025 amid legal and diplomatic pressure around the status of the territory.

Trump also tied the base’s future to discussions around tensions with Iran, suggesting that Diego Garcia could play a role in any military response if diplomacy fails, underscoring its strategic value.

A spokesperson for Britain’s Foreign Office defended the deal, saying it secures the long-term future of the base and bolsters the security of the UK and its allies.

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