British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has agreed to review the UK’s plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius following objections from US President Donald Trump. The issue was a central topic during their first face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
President Trump characterized the existing arrangement as “terrible” and “ridiculous,” emphasizing the strategic importance of Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago, which hosts a key joint UK-US military base. Trump expressed concern over the proposed handover to Mauritius, describing the claim of sovereignty by Mauritius as a new development “after decades and centuries” and highlighting the base’s role in recent US military operations. He cited the operational challenges faced by US B-2 bombers, which were reportedly sent back to Missouri after an Iran bombing raid, as an example of the base’s strategic value.
Burnham acknowledged the complexities of the situation, noting that he had “inherited” the agreement and stressed the need for a resolution that safeguards the future of the Diego Garcia base. He said the security interests involved are important for both the UK and the United States, and committed to working towards a mutually acceptable solution. “We will work to find that resolution between the different sides and we’ll work hard to find it,” Burnham stated.
The meeting between Burnham and Trump was described as largely cordial, with Trump praising Burnham as a “natural businessperson” who understands the challenges involved. This was seen as a marked improvement in relations compared to Trump’s interactions with Burnham’s predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, with whom Trump had public disagreements, particularly regarding Iran.
The United Kingdom’s commitment to the Chagos sovereignty deal was previously affirmed in discussions with Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, with Burnham reportedly pledging to do “everything possible” to ratify the treaty. However, following the meeting with Trump, Burnham clarified that while he intends to seek a resolution, this does not necessarily mean full support for the current terms of the deal without further negotiation.
The dispute has drawn criticism from UK opposition politicians. Senior Conservative MP Alex Burghart described the handling of the agreement as a continuation of what he termed a “double surrender” by the Labour party leadership, referring to both the Chagos issue and Burnham’s openness to rejoining the European Union. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage echoed this criticism, calling for a government that prioritizes British interests more firmly.
Burnham’s international agenda also includes efforts to rebuild relations with the EU. Ahead of talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he expressed support for a new deal with Brussels, suggesting it could boost the UK economy and reflecting on the impact of the 2016 Brexit referendum, which he said was influenced by outside efforts to manipulate the democratic process.
Overall, the Chagos Islands deal remains under review amid competing security concerns, diplomatic pressures, and political debates within the UK and between allied countries.