Britain Pauses Plan to Transfer Chagos Islands to Mauritius Amid US Concerns

The UK and Mauritius announced that a deal had been made between the two countries on Oct. 3, 2024.

An aerial view of Diego Garcia in the Chagos Island group. U.S. Navy via AP, File

The UK has put on hold an agreement to give the Chagos Islands back to the country of Mauritius, citing U.S. opposition to the deal.

Diego Garcia is the Chagos’s largest island and home to a UK military base. The deal would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and allow the UK to maintain control of the base.