Trump Issues Stark Warning on Diego Garcia Military Base Access
Former United States President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning that America could resort to military action to secure and reinforce its presence at the strategic Diego Garcia base. This warning comes in response to the United Kingdom's recent treaty with Mauritius concerning sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, where the vital joint US-UK military installation is located.
Trump's Direct Statement on Truth Social
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday local time, Trump revealed he had held "very productive discussions" with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the future of Diego Garcia. The base hosts one of America's most critical military installations in the Indian Ocean region.
"If the lease deal, sometime in the future, ever falls apart, or anyone threatens or endangers US operations and forces at our Base, I retain the right to Militarily secure and reinforce the American presence in Diego Garcia," Trump wrote unequivocally.
Emphasizing Strategic Importance to National Security
Trump strongly emphasized the base's paramount significance to US national security and global military operations. He highlighted Diego Garcia's central location in the Indian Ocean as making it critically important.
"It is the site of a major US Military Base, strategically situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean and, therefore, of great importance to the National Security of the United States," he stated. Trump credited recent US military successes to the strength of American warfighters, modern equipment, and the global positioning of US bases including Diego Garcia.
The former president also rejected what he described as attempts to undermine the US presence at the base, declaring, "Let it be known that I will never allow our presence on a Base as important as this to ever be undermined or threatened by fake claims or environmental nonsense."
Understanding the UK-Mauritius Treaty and Lease Arrangement
Trump's remarks directly reference the UK-Mauritius Treaty signed in 2025, under which Mauritius exercises full sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. However, the UK retains rights to operate Diego Garcia through an initial 99-year lease arrangement.
The agreement includes:
- Long-term financial payments by the United Kingdom
- An option to extend the lease by an additional 50 years
- Continued military access for the United States through UK arrangements
While acknowledging that Prime Minister Starmer had negotiated "the best deal he could make" under the circumstances, Trump's comments underline persistent concerns in Washington regarding the long-term implications of this sovereignty arrangement.
A Shift in Tone with Underlying Concerns
This warning represents a slight shift from Trump's earlier criticism of the deal. In January, he had described the UK's decision to transfer sovereignty as an act of "great stupidity" and "total weakness," arguing it could invite strategic attention from rivals such as China and Russia.
Downing Street has confirmed that Trump and Starmer discussed Diego Garcia during a recent call. "The leaders recognized its strategic importance," a No 10 spokeswoman said, adding that both governments agreed to continue working closely to guarantee the future operation of the base.
Why Diego Garcia Matters Strategically
Washington has consistently described Diego Garcia as an "all but indispensable platform" for military operations across multiple regions including:
- The Middle East
- South Asia
- East Africa
The base supports numerous critical functions:
- Long-range bomber missions
- Military logistics operations
- Intelligence collection activities
- Military communications infrastructure
Approximately 2,500 US military and civilian personnel are stationed at the facility. It has been utilized in US operations ranging from Afghanistan and Iraq to more recent deployments, including the stationing of nuclear-capable B-2 Spirit bombers amid air operations targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels. The US has also acknowledged that the base was previously used for secret flights transporting terror suspects.
Potential Implications for India's Strategic Interests
India has quietly encouraged the return of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, aligning with its broader strategic interests in the Indian Ocean and its concerns over China's growing footprint in the region.
New Delhi's position is shaped by both contemporary security considerations and historical experience. The US decision to establish a full-scale military base on Diego Garcia was taken during the Richard Nixon administration, which had backed Pakistan during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. At that time, Washington dispatched the 7th fleet of its navy, including the USS Enterprise, into the Bay of Bengal in a move widely seen as an attempt to pressure India.
More recently, India has significantly deepened its engagement with Mauritius. In September last year, New Delhi announced a substantial $680 million economic assistance package comprising grants and lines of credit to support development projects in the island nation. This assistance also includes support for monitoring the marine protected area around the Chagos Archipelago.
The current 99-year lease arrangement between the UK and Mauritius ensures continued US access to the Diego Garcia base while preserving Mauritian sovereignty. However, any move by the US to assume direct control over the Chagos Archipelago would strip Mauritius of ownership, potentially rendering existing agreements—including India's $680 million assistance package—automatically void. Such a development could significantly complicate India's strategic and economic interests in the Indian Ocean region.
Contrasting Administration Approaches and International Reactions
Trump's stance contrasts sharply with that of the Biden administration, which had welcomed the UK-Mauritius agreement as a diplomatic solution to a long-standing sovereignty dispute while preserving military access.
The deal has drawn criticism within the UK as well, with the Conservative Party arguing it weakens Britain's strategic position and risks straining security ties with Washington. Mauritius, meanwhile, has stated that its sovereignty over the islands is "unequivocally recognized" under international law and has called for swift implementation of the treaty.
The situation remains fluid as international stakeholders monitor developments concerning this strategically vital military installation in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
