The future of the military base on Diego Garcia has been thrown into uncertainty after conflicting statements from the United Kingdom government about a proposed agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. A foreign office minister told Parliament that ratification had been paused for discussions with the United States, but a government spokesperson later denied any formal suspension, saying no deadline had been set and that Britain would not proceed without American support.

The agreement would transfer sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius while granting Britain a ninety nine year lease over Diego Garcia, which hosts a major joint military base used for operations across the Middle East, Africa and the Indo Pacific. The proposal has drawn criticism from security advocates who argue it could weaken Western strategic interests amid tensions involving countries such as China and Iran.

Former President Donald Trump has publicly urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to abandon the deal, calling it a 'big mistake' and warning against giving away the island. Critics are pressing the British government to withdraw the legislation, which is currently before the House of Lords with no debate or vote scheduled, as uncertainty continues over the future of the base.