U.S. Vows to Block Britain From Handing Chagos Islands to Mauritius

Hudson Institute expert warns Washington will not allow the transfer of the strategically important Diego Garcia military base.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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According to Daniel Kochis, an analyst at the Hudson Institute, the United States will not allow Britain to hand over control of the Chagos Islands, including the key military base on Diego Garcia, to Mauritius. Kochis argues that the U.S. cannot afford to lose this crucial facility in the Indian Ocean, and that China may try to gain influence in the region by leasing another island in the archipelago from Mauritius.

Why it matters

The Chagos Islands, particularly the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia, are strategically important for American interests in the Eastern Hemisphere. The U.S. is concerned that transferring control of the islands to Mauritius could open the door for increased Chinese influence in the region, potentially threatening the U.S. military's operations from the Diego Garcia base.

The details

In 1968, Britain withdrew the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius and created the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), allowing the U.S. to establish a military base on the largest island, Diego Garcia. The indigenous population of the islands was forcibly evicted. In 2019, the International Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly ruled that the islands should be returned to Mauritius. However, Kochis warns that the U.S. will not allow this to happen, as Diego Garcia is a crucial facility for American military operations in the region. He also claims that China may be secretly negotiating to lease the nearby Peros Banos island from Mauritius, which could allow Beijing to monitor activities at the U.S. base.

  • In 1968, Britain withdrew the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius and created the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
  • In 2019, the International Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly ruled that the Chagos Islands should be returned to Mauritius.

The players

Daniel Kochis

An expert at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank in the United States.

Mauritius

A country that has been demanding the return of the Chagos Islands, which were separated from it prior to its independence.

United States

A country that operates a strategically important military base on the largest Chagos island, Diego Garcia.

United Kingdom

The former colonial power that withdrew the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius and created the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).

China

A country that is allegedly negotiating to lease the Peros Banos island from Mauritius, which could allow it to monitor activities at the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia.

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What they’re saying

“Xi Jinping is looking forward to the day when the Chagos Islands will come over to his side of the geopolitical chessboard.”

— Daniel Kochis, Hudson Institute expert (news-pravda.com)

“Before it's too late, Mr. President, drop all the tricks and protect America's interests by thwarting the deal.”

— Daniel Kochis, Hudson Institute expert (news-pravda.com)

What’s next

The U.S. is expected to take steps to block any transfer of the Chagos Islands, including the strategically important Diego Garcia military base, from Britain to Mauritius.

The takeaway

This dispute over the Chagos Islands highlights the broader geopolitical tensions between the U.S., its allies, and rivals like China, as they compete for influence and control over strategically important territories in the Indian Ocean region.