UK defends national security after Trump criticizes Chagos Islands pact
In remarks issued on Tuesday, a government spokesperson stresses, "The UK will never compromise on our national security," after Trump describes the agreement as "an act of great stupidity."
The spokesperson explains that the decision follows legal developments that weaken Britain’s position over the islands and threaten the future operation of a key military installation. "We acted because the (UK) base on Diego Garcia (one of the Chagos Islands) was under threat after court decisions undermined our position and would have prevented it operating as intended in the future," the spokesperson says.
Britain signs the agreement last May, transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while ensuring continued access to a strategically vital UK-US military base.
Under the terms of the arrangement, Mauritius assumes control of the archipelago, while the United Kingdom and the United States retain the right to operate the Diego Garcia base for the next 99 years.
Officials recall that last year Prime Minister Keir Starmer warns that without such an agreement, legal constraints mean Britain "would not be able to prevent China or any other nation" from establishing a presence on the outer islands, noting that China already conducts joint exercises near the base.
Defending the deal, the spokesperson says, "This deal secures the operations of the joint US-UK base on Diego Garcia for generations, with robust provisions for keeping its unique capabilities intact and our adversaries out."
The statement also notes that the agreement receives public backing from several allies, including the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, as well as other international partners such as India, Japan, and South Korea.
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