Keir Starmer’s national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, is set to travel to Washington, D.C., as the UK government works to secure the Chagos Islands agreement amid concerns that incoming U.S. President Donald Trump may seek to overturn the deal. Powell, who successfully negotiated the agreement earlier this autumn, plans to meet with Trump’s team ahead of his January 20 inauguration, sources have revealed.
The Chagos Islands agreement, brokered after two years of talks initiated under Rishi Sunak’s administration, would cede control of the islands to Mauritius while ensuring that the Diego Garcia military base, a vital joint UK-U.S. installation, remains under British control for the next 99 years.
Concerns Over U.S. National Security and Strategic Interests
The deal has sparked concern among Trump’s advisors and allies, with some labeling it a threat to U.S. national security. Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for Secretary of State, previously warned that handing over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius—a nation with close ties to China—could jeopardize U.S. strategic interests. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage echoed these concerns, calling Diego Garcia “the most important island on the planet for America.”
Several UK Conservative leaders have also criticized the agreement. Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, described it as “giving away a key strategic asset,” while Tom Tugendhat, shadow security minister, cautioned that it could pave the way for a Chinese military presence in the region.
UK Push to Persuade Trump Administration
During his visit to Washington, Powell will focus on demonstrating how the agreement protects the Diego Garcia base and strengthens its future. UK ministers argue that maintaining the base’s operational status depends on resolving longstanding legal uncertainties regarding the islands.
Stephen Doughty, Minister for North America, has committed to briefing Trump’s team on the deal to address concerns, emphasizing that it has broad support within the U.S. security establishment. The Biden administration, which previously backed the agreement, has also publicly endorsed it.
Powell’s visit comes at a sensitive time, as Mauritius grapples with political turmoil following a landslide defeat of its government in the wake of a wiretapping scandal. This adds further complexity to negotiations over the islands’ future.
Historical Context of the Chagos Islands Dispute
The Chagos Islands have long been a point of contention between the UK and Mauritius. In 1968, the UK retained control of the islands as Mauritius gained independence, forcibly displacing around 2,000 residents in a process widely condemned as a violation of human rights.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion five years ago, calling the UK’s continued control a breach of international law.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has warned that without the agreement, a binding ICJ ruling against the UK is likely, potentially jeopardizing the Diego Garcia base’s future.
