The U.S. has warmly welcomed a significant agreement between the U.K. and Mauritius, which confirms the continued use of Diego Garcia, a crucial military hub for British and American forces located in the Indian Ocean.
On Thursday, Britain announced a “historic political agreement” that will transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, which has claimed these islands for many years. A forthcoming treaty is set to conclude London’s oversight of what’s currently designated as the British Indian Ocean Territory.
U.S. Navy via AP
Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago, is situated about 1,300 miles northeast of Mauritius’ capital, Port Louis. For over 50 years, it has supported major military operations, notably during the Gulf and Iraq Wars.
Under the new agreement, the U.K. will hold sovereign rights over Diego Garcia for up to 99 years, ensuring that military operations at Camp Thunder Cove—part of Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia—will continue for U.S. armed forces and their U.K. counterparts.
President Joe Biden stated that the deal would bolster the U.S. ability to maintain regional stability and respond to crises effectively. He emphasized that it secures joint operations at Diego Garcia well into the next century.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin highlighted the agreement’s role in safeguarding strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken referred to the arrangement as “a win for diplomacy.”
With China’s rising influence in the Indian Ocean—a region traditionally viewed as India’s sphere—the stakes have increased. This growing presence poses challenges for New Delhi, which is now a close security partner of the U.S.
This agreement marks a bold foreign policy move by Britain’s Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. However, it has faced criticism from the opposition Conservative Party. Former security minister Tom Tugendhat warned that Mauritius could lease the Chagos Islands to other nations, such as China, potentially giving Beijing a military foothold in the region.
In contrast, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy insisted that the agreement, backed by the U.S., enhances international security and mitigates threats in the Indian Ocean.
Mauritius has been under British control since 1814 and gained independence in 1968, during which it formally separated from the Chagos Archipelago. The U.S. has leased Diego Garcia since 1966, and it remains a military-only location.
Diego Garcia’s prime location, outside cyclone paths and centrally positioned, makes it strategically valuable, providing access to both Africa and Southeast Asia.
The island also serves as a critical base for the U.S. Air Force’s bomber fleet. B-52 bombers have been deployed there recently, enhancing rapid response capabilities across the Indo-Pacific region.
Diego Garcia is strategically positioned 2,570 miles from the Strait of Hormuz and 2,390 miles from the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, with its operations bolstering U.S. military presence in contested areas like the South China Sea.
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jan David De Luna Mercado/U.S. Navy
According to the U.S. Navy, Diego Garcia is vital for logistical support to forces in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf, aiding both surface fleets and submarines. Notably, the USS West Virginia, an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, visited the island last year for deterrence operations, further highlighting its strategic importance.