Andy Burnham has doubled down on Labour’s plans to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, despite Donald Trump’s repeated threats to block the deal.
Behind closed doors, the Prime Minister reassured the Indian and Chinese-allied island nation that Britain is committed to giving up the archipelago – even if they have to wait until after the US President leaves office
Downing Street said he set out his intention for Britain and Mauritius to work “closely” together and offered up a number of “clear benefits the two countries could bring to each other across a range of shared objectives”.
These include tackling climate change, combatting illicit finance, and boosting growth and trade, No10 said.
A statement also confirmed that Mr Burnham “underlined his commitment to working with Mauritius and the United States on a way forward that secures the operation of the base and protects UK national security”.
Mr Burnham went on to personally back the controversial deal last night.
“We remain determined to secure the long-term operation of the base, which is crucial to our security and that of our allies,” he said.
“The assurance I gave was I will work towards a resolution. At the moment we don’t have that, but I gave an assurance that I would commit to working towards one.”
Andy Burnham, alongside his wife, has set off for New York
Andy Burnham Doubles Down on Chagos Handover in Talks with Mauritius as Donald Trump Threatens to Block Deal
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the long-running dispute over the Chagos Islands, despite growing opposition from US President Donald Trump. The issue has placed Britain in a difficult diplomatic position, forcing London to balance its commitment to Mauritius with the strategic importance of the Diego Garcia military base and the broader UK-US security relationship.
Burnham recently spoke with Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam as both governments sought a way forward on the agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago. According to Downing Street, Burnham underlined his commitment to working with both Mauritius and the United States to find a solution that protects the future operation of the Diego Garcia base while safeguarding British national security.
The discussions come at a particularly sensitive moment. Britain and Mauritius signed a treaty in May 2025 under which Mauritius would gain sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, while Britain would retain extensive rights concerning Diego Garcia. However, the agreement has faced opposition from Washington, with Trump describing the arrangement as a “big mistake.” The British legislation required to implement the agreement has consequently been delayed.
A Dispute With Deep Historical Roots
The Chagos Islands are an archipelago in the Indian Ocean that Britain has controlled for more than two centuries. The territory became particularly significant after the establishment of the military facility on Diego Garcia, which has been used by Britain and the United States for strategic operations.
The history of the islands is also closely connected to the displacement of Chagossians. Between 1968 and 1973, inhabitants were removed from the islands as the military facility was developed. The issue has remained controversial for decades, with questions surrounding sovereignty, the rights of displaced Chagossians and the future of the military base.
In October 2024, the UK and Mauritius announced a political agreement intended to settle the sovereignty dispute. Under that arrangement, Mauritius would exercise sovereignty over the entire archipelago, including Diego Garcia, while Britain would retain rights necessary to operate the military base for an initial period of 99 years.
The agreement was subsequently formalised in a treaty signed in May 2025. The House of Commons Library says the treaty provides for Mauritius to exercise full sovereignty while allowing the UK and US to continue accessing, maintaining and investing in Diego Garcia. The initial period is 99 years, with provisions for possible extensions.
Why Diego Garcia Matters
At the centre of the dispute is Diego Garcia itself.
Although sovereignty over the island would pass to Mauritius under the treaty, the UK would retain extensive authority connected with the military base. Mauritius would permit Britain and the United States to operate the facility for the agreed period.
British governments have argued that maintaining the base is essential to national and international security. When the original political agreement was announced in 2024, the UK government said the arrangement would secure the long-term future of the UK-US military facility while resolving the sovereignty dispute.
The strategic importance of Diego Garcia explains why the United States has become directly involved in the controversy. The facility occupies a significant position in the Indian Ocean and has played an important role in US and British military operations.
For London, therefore, the Chagos question is not simply about territorial sovereignty. It also involves defence cooperation, relations with Washington, Britain’s wider role in the Indian Ocean and the legal future of an important military installation.
Trump’s Objections
Donald Trump has emerged as one of the most significant obstacles to the implementation of the agreement.
The US president has criticised the arrangement and argued that the proposed transfer could create strategic risks. His opposition has contributed to the British government’s decision to pause the legislative process needed to implement the treaty.
That creates an unusual diplomatic situation. Britain has already signed the agreement with Mauritius, but the domestic legal steps required to put it into effect have not been completed. The UK government has also been discussing arrangements with Washington concerning the future governance and operation of Diego Garcia.
In February 2026, the UK government told Parliament that it was continuing to work closely with the United States and that progress was being made on updating the UK-US arrangements concerning the base. The government said those arrangements would be finalised before the treaty with Mauritius was ratified.
Burnham therefore faces the challenge of keeping all three sides engaged: Britain, Mauritius and the United States.
Burnham’s Position
Burnham’s latest discussions suggest that he does not intend to abandon the agreement simply because Washington has raised objections.
Downing Street said the prime minister had emphasised Britain’s intention to work closely with Mauritius and identified areas where the two countries could cooperate, including climate change, tackling illicit finance, economic growth and trade. At the same time, Burnham stressed the importance of finding a solution that protects the operation of Diego Garcia and British national security.
This position reflects the complicated nature of the negotiations. Britain wants to maintain its relationship with the United States while also preserving the framework of an agreement that formally recognises Mauritian sovereignty.
Burnham is due to meet Trump during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The Chagos dispute is expected to be one of the difficult subjects surrounding their broader discussions, alongside defence cooperation, international security and other major foreign-policy issues.
Mauritius Wants the Agreement Implemented
For Mauritius, the issue is fundamentally about sovereignty and the completion of a long-running decolonisation process.
Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has continued to engage with London over the agreement. Burnham and Ramgoolam have agreed that their foreign ministers should continue discussions during the UN General Assembly.
Mauritius sees the agreement as recognition of its sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. The treaty also contains provisions concerning economic support, environmental protection and the possibility of resettlement of Chagossians on islands other than Diego Garcia.
The financial arrangements are another important part of the treaty. According to the House of Commons Library, Britain would make payments to Mauritius averaging approximately £101 million per year over the initial 99-year period, amounting to around £3.4 billion in 2025-26 prices.
Supporters of the agreement argue that the financial and diplomatic arrangements provide a structured way to resolve the sovereignty dispute while protecting the military base.
Critics, however, have questioned the cost and the wisdom of transferring sovereignty while continuing to pay for access to Diego Garcia.
The Chagossian Question
Any discussion of the Chagos Islands also has to consider the people who were displaced from the archipelago.
The treaty recognises the historical grievances associated with the removal of Chagossians and provides for measures intended to support their welfare. Mauritius would be able to organise resettlement on islands in the archipelago other than Diego Garcia.
However, the future of the Chagossian community remains a complex issue. Questions about where people could return, what infrastructure would be available and how resettlement would be financed have continued to attract attention.
The sovereignty dispute therefore involves more than Britain and Mauritius. It also concerns the descendants of people who were removed from their homeland and have sought recognition and remedies over many years.
A Wider Diplomatic Challenge
The Chagos dispute illustrates the difficulty Britain faces in managing relationships with both Mauritius and the United States.
Washington regards Diego Garcia as strategically important. Mauritius regards sovereignty over the archipelago as a matter of national importance. Britain is attempting to preserve its military access while transferring formal sovereignty.
Burnham’s approach appears to be based on continued negotiation rather than an immediate abandonment of the treaty. His latest conversation with Ramgoolam indicates that London wants Mauritius to remain engaged while also addressing American concerns.
The situation could therefore depend heavily on whether Britain and the United States can agree on arrangements that satisfy Washington’s security concerns without fundamentally changing the treaty with Mauritius.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus will be on diplomatic negotiations and the meeting between Burnham and Trump in New York.
The British government will need to determine whether modifications or additional guarantees can persuade Washington to support the agreement. At the same time, Mauritius will expect Britain to maintain its commitment to the sovereignty arrangement already negotiated.
The treaty still requires the necessary domestic legal process in Britain before it can be fully implemented. The House of Commons Library has noted that the UK traditionally does not ratify treaties requiring domestic legislation until that legislation is in place.
That leaves Burnham with a delicate balancing act. Moving too quickly could intensify disagreements with Washington, while delaying indefinitely could create frustration in Mauritius and uncertainty over Britain’s longer-term position.
The Chagos dispute is consequently becoming a test of British diplomacy. It combines questions of sovereignty, international law, military strategy, historical responsibility and the future of the UK’s relationship with the United States.
For Burnham, reaffirming the commitment to the agreement does not necessarily mean that the final outcome is settled. Much depends on the negotiations still taking place between London, Port Louis and Washington.
What is clear is that Diego Garcia remains at the centre of the dispute. Britain wants to preserve the strategic military base, Mauritius wants sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to be recognised, and the United States wants assurances about the future security and use of the facility.
As Burnham prepares for discussions with Trump, the coming negotiations could determine whether the existing treaty moves forward, is modified, or faces further delays. For now, Britain remains committed to seeking a resolution that accommodates Mauritius while protecting the strategic interests associated with Diego Garcia.