Summary and Key Points: Heritage Foundation Fellow Anthony Kim and Jordan Procell evaluate the severe national security risks posed by the proposed UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands deal.
-The Trump administration has blasted the handover as a “show of weakness,” prompting Washington to formally withdraw its support.
B-52 Bomber. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
-This report analyzes how Diego Garcia, a foundational hub for nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, and B-52 bombers, would be compromised by Mauritius’ 76% voting alignment with China and its adherence to the Pelindaba Treaty.
How the Chagos Handover Threatens U.S. Interest and Security
American security interests at Diego Garcia have been woefully sold out by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s naivety towards China and capitulation to international lawfare. President Trump blasted the proposed UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands deal as an act of “great stupidity” and a “show of weakness” to both China and Russia. With the deal in limbo, the United States must act to sink it.
Diego Garcia, located within the Chagos Archipelago, is foundational to the projection of American military might in the Indian Ocean region. There is no other American naval base in the region that can play host to nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, and from which strategic bombers can be launched. As the U.S. Indo-Pacific commander, Admiral Samuel Paparo, expressed, “Continued UK support for the U.S. military presence in Diego Garcia remains critical for U.S. national security.”
Such emphasis has recently also been echoed by Sen. John Kennedy(R-La.) and in Darshana Baruah’s testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Meanwhile, transatlantic security expert Nile Gardiner has gone further, condemning Britain’s “reckless surrender of the Chagos Islands” as “an insult to America” and urging Donald Trump to “sink the deal, just as Margaret Thatcher sank the Belgrano.”
The Diego Garica base has been central in numerous high-stakes U.S. military operations. During the Gulf War, the base launched bombers into Iraq. At least 80% of all explosive munitions dropped in Operation Iraqi Freedom came from Diego Garcia. And yet, somehow, a deal is in the works for Britain to cede control over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a close ally of Communist China.
The British government called the deal a “commitment to the international rule of law.” However, the ruling from the International Court of Justice was non-binding. If Starmer is truly committed to this dangerous deal he risks surrendering other British Overseas Territories including the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar. Why put on handcuffs?
For America, the deal binds the U.S. to Africa’s nuclear inspections. Mauritius is party to the Pelindaba Treaty of 1996. If Diego Garcia becomes part of Mauritius, it too would be required to remove or disarm any nuclear capabilities. To give up such ground is simply illogical to our own interests in the Indo-Pacific.
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 307th Bomb Wing goes through an engine check June 24, 2021, at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Eight Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines power the B-52H to give it the capability of flying at high subsonic speeds. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kate Bragg)
A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing departs after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, during a multi-day Bomber Task Force mission over Southwest Asia, Dec. 10th, 2020. The B-52 is a long-range bomber with a range of approximately 8,800 miles, enabling rapid support of BTF missions or deployments and reinforcing global security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Trevor T. McBride)
Unsurprisingly, China offered “massive congratulations” to Mauritius when the deal was announced. UN data from 2000 to 2025 shows that Mauritius has voted in alignment at the United Nations General Assembly with China 76 percent of the time while only aligning with the U.S. 11 percent of the time. By 2005, China signed seven trade deals with Mauritius, which continued to pour foreign investments into the country. Finally, even more conclusive findings show that China’s foreign aid often results in higher UNGA voting alignment across borders.
China wants influence in Mauritius, which puts Diego Garcia at risk. Based on 2018 data, Chinese banks have lent over $1 billion to 30 investment projects in Mauritius. Meanwhile, one-fifth of Mauritius’ imports year-on-year ($1.17 billion in value) came from China. Even more concerning is Huawei’s $450 million stake in Mauritius’ safe city project, which integrates Chinese surveillance technologies into Mauritian infrastructure. China’s investments, projects, and diplomatic strategy merit concern that must be acted on.
The Chinese government increased its engagement with key Mauritius leaders, including flying 6,000 officials to Beijing last summer for tailored trainings. According to 2025 LDA filings, the American lobbying firm Ryberg and Smith LLC represents several Mauritius entities in Washington, including the Mauritius Sugar Syndicate, the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture, the Mauritius Business Association, and the Mauritius Export Association. It is unclear whether China is lobbying the UK or US through indirect channels, but its influence in Mauritius is significant
This influence forms part of a broader pattern of China-UK engagement. Jonathan Powell, Starmer’s national security advisor, played a key role in lobbying Washington on the Chagos deal in 2024. Shortly after the negotiations, he attended a September 2024 conference in China hosted by the Grandview Institution. His membership in the 48 Group Club, an elite network of British politicians promoting closer China-UK ties, raises questions about the influence of Chinese-aligned networks on policy decisions.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush transits the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 8, 2026. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is at sea training as an integrated warfighting team. Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) is the Joint Force’s most complex integrated training event and prepares naval task forces for sustained high-end Joint and combined combat. Integrated naval training provides combatant commanders and America’s civilian leaders highly capable forces that deter adversaries, underpin American security and economic prosperity, and reassure Allies and partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jayden Brown)
A U.S. Sailor moves behind a flight deck foul line before the launch an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, attached Strike Fighter Squadron 31, from the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Feb. 5, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Navy photo)
The U.S. State Department last year backed Starmer’s Chagos deal, based on a clearly incomplete understanding. A new review of facts has since prompted Washington to withdraw its support. The deal is not dead yet, as confirmed by Lady Chapman, of the Labour Party; the deal has been put on pause. While talks between the U.S. and the U.K. are still ongoing, the outcome remains fluid and Washington should make absolutely its clear its opposition to this deal.
The bottom line is that sovereignty over Diego Garcia and the Chagos Islands should not be transferred to any third party outside the U.S. and the U.K. The stakes are simply too high. To do so would only jeopardize American national security. Sinking the Chagos deal is the best way to protect and strengthen the US/UK Special Relationship.
About the Authors:
Anthony Kim is the Jay Kingham Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation. Jordan Procell is a member of Heritage’s Young Leaders Program.
