UK Halts Chagos Islands Handover Legislation After US Withdraws Support

The United Kingdom has placed on hold its agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The islands, located in the Indian Ocean, include Diego Garcia, which hosts a strategic military base operated jointly by the UK and the US. The pause follows the withdrawal of support by the US.

The British government announced that legislation to ratify the agreement will not proceed in the current parliamentary session, which ends in the coming weeks. According to The Times, the bill will not be included in the King's Speech scheduled for next month, which outlines the legislative agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session beginning May 13.

A UK government spokesperson stated that the deal requires US support to move forward.

In 1965, the UK detached the archipelago from Mauritius, which gained independence in 1968, to establish the military base. The US base on Diego Garcia was constructed in 1971 and has supported operations including the Vietnam War, invasions of Iraq, and missions in Afghanistan.

Displaced Chagossians have pursued legal action in UK courts for the right to return but have not succeeded. Mauritius has claimed sovereignty over the islands for decades. In 2019, the International Court of Justice issued a non-binding advisory opinion stating that the UK should return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as rapidly as possible.

The United Nations has also urged compliance, framing the issue as a matter of international law.

Officials initially blocked US requests to use UK air bases, including Diego Garcia, for offensive operations. Officials later permitted use of bases in England and Diego Garcia for strikes on missile sites but not other targets. The US has criticized NATO allies, including the UK, for reluctance to join operations.

Britain's opposition Conservative Party and Reform UK opposed the original agreement, arguing it risks interference from China and Russia. The UK government maintains that the deal protects the base from legal challenges and ensures its long-term security.