UK defends Chagos Islands deal after Trump calls handover 'act of great stupidity'
bbc.com/news/articles/c0mkp021rvro
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Trump Labels Chagos Deal a National Security BlunderThe £3.4bn agreement includes a 99-year lease of Diego Garcia military base, sparking controversy over strategic security concerns.
- President Trump criticized the UK-Mauritius agreement on the Chagos Islands as a serious mistake.
- The May deal allows the UK to retain control and lease the Diego Garcia military base for 99 years.
- Trump linked the arrangement to his push for acquiring Greenland due to national security reasons.
- US Secretary of State Rubio praised the agreement for securing long-term cooperation and regional stability.
The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired.— Donald Trump describes the UK's decision to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as an 'act of great stupidity'.
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Starmer pulls Chagos deal following Trump backlash: Plans to hand islands to Mauritius ‘cannot progress’ amid concerns over 1966 treaty between UK and US
telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/01/23/starmer-pulls-chagos-deal-following-trump-backlash/
Dispute over ‘bombers island,’ Britain’s rift with Trump and the Iran factor: what is happening at Diego Garci
ynetnews.com/article/sjhbpr118wl
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Trump says UK handing over Chagos Islands sovereignty is act of 'great stupidity'
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Trump says UK handing over Chagos Islands sovereignty is act of 'great stupidity'
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Key FactsIndia Applauds UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands Treaty
May 23, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: ndtv.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: ndtv.com
- The UK is relinquishing sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia, after more than five decades.
- Despite the handover, the UK retains full security responsibility for the strategically located Diego Garcia atoll.
- India has consistently backed Mauritius’s legitimate claim, highlighting principles of decolonization and respect for sovereignty.
- This bilateral treaty marks a milestone in resolving the longstanding dispute and enhancing regional maritime security.
The formal resolution of the longstanding Chagos dispute through this bilateral treaty is a milestone achievement and a positive development for the region.— Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) regarding the return of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius.
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