UK Government Shelves Chagos Islands Plan Opposed by Trump

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Alex Wickham

April 11, 2026 at 7:44 AM UTC

Updated on

April 11, 2026 at 1:05 PM UTC

The UK government put its plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands on hold after failing to win US backing for the deal.

President Donald Trump in February said a plan to hand over the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius, while retaining control of the joint US-UK military base of Diego Garcia through a lease, was a “big mistake,” after previously supporting it.