The Government of the Maldives has welcomed the United Kingdom’s decision to pause its planned transfer of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. In a statement issued today, the Maldives also called for a renewed negotiation process that includes its own interests.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the statement under press release reference 2026/PR/61. The Maldives underscored its legitimate interest in the future status and governance of the Chagos Archipelago, known locally as Foalhavahi, and viewed the pause as an opportunity to renew negotiations with the United Kingdom.
The Maldives called on the UK to pursue a fair and equitable outcome that respects the rights of the Maldives, supports regional stability, is consistent with international law, and safeguards the long-term sustainability of the Indian Ocean.
Why the UK shelved the deal
The Chagos Islands are officially known as the British Indian Ocean Territory. Britain has controlled them since the early 19th century. The proposed deal would have transferred sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius. In return, the UK would pay an average of £101 million ($136 million) per year to lease back the Diego Garcia military base, which is jointly operated with the United States.
The UK government confirmed it has run out of time to pass the necessary legislation before Parliament is suspended in the coming weeks. The Chagos bill had reached the final stages of Parliament, but officials say it will not be included in the King’s Speech expected in mid-May.
A key reason for the collapse is the absence of formal American approval. The UK has not received a formal exchange of letters from the United States, which is a legal requirement for the treaty to come into force.
US President Donald Trump has been openly critical of the agreement. In January, he called it an “act of total weakness,” despite previously indicating support for the deal. His opposition left the UK government with little room to move forward.
A UK government spokesperson said Diego Garcia remains the central concern. “Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the UK and the US. Ensuring its long-term operational security is and will continue to be our priority. It is the entire reason for the deal. We continue to believe the agreement is the best way to protect the long-term future of the base, but we have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has US support. We are continuing to engage with the US and Mauritius.”
Reactions in Britain
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said her party was glad the deal had been put on hold. “That deal should never have been on the table,” she told reporters in London on Saturday. “Paying £35bn to give away territory we already own, at a time when so many people in this country are dealing with the cost of living, shows [the government] were not in any way thinking clearly.”
She was also asked whether shelving the deal might improve Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s relationship with President Trump. “It’s not really about what Donald Trump thinks,” she said. “It’s about what is right for the British national interest. Giving away the Chagos Islands was wrong for the British national interest.”
Former Foreign Office permanent secretary Lord Simon McDonald said the UK had no real choice but to pause the deal. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “The UK had two objectives. One was to comply with international law. The second was to reinforce the relationship with the United States.”
The Maldives steps forward
The Maldives’ statement today adds a new dimension to an already complicated diplomatic situation. The negotiations have so far been treated largely as a matter between the UK, Mauritius, and the United States. By issuing today’s statement, the Maldives is making clear that it also has a stake in how the issue is resolved.
The government of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu signalled that it intends to use the current pause in negotiations to push for a seat at the table. The Maldives has long argued that decisions affecting the Indian Ocean region must take into account the interests of smaller regional nations.
With legislation shelved and American backing absent, the future of the Chagos Islands remains unresolved. Britain, Mauritius, the United States, and now the Maldives all have competing interests in what happens next to one of the Indian Ocean’s most strategically important territories.
