USA wants to buy Chagos Islands: Trump's grab for Diego Garcia
Vienna, June 7, 2026 - The US government is reportedly considering purchasing the Chagos Islands from Mauritius, according to a report by the British Telegraph. The focus of interest is Diego Garcia, the atoll in the Indian Ocean that has served as a strategic military base for decades. The plan is to bypass London in the negotiations and deal directly with Port Louis.
Strategic hub in the Indian Ocean
Diego Garcia hosts one of the most important U.S. military bases outside of mainland America. From here, bombers and reconnaissance aircraft can reach the entire Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and large parts of Asia. The base played a central role in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The base is simply indispensable for American presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Great Britain had announced in 2024 that it would transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while the US would continue to use its military base. This agreement is apparently met with skepticism in Washington. The Trump administration fears, according to the Telegraph, that Mauritius could cultivate too close ties with China.
Beijing's long shadow
China has systematically expanded its presence in the Indian Ocean in recent years. Its naval base in Djibouti and port investments in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar form the so-called "String of Pearls," intended to secure Beijing's trade routes. Chinese influence on the Chagos Islands would shift the strategic balance in the region.
Mauritius maintains diplomatic and economic relations with Beijing. China is one of the largest investors in the island nation. The US argues internally that a direct purchase would offer more security than a lease agreement, which depends on changing political constellations.
What does this mean for Europe?
For Austria and the EU, maritime security is at stake. Around 80 percent of European trade with Asia passes through the Indian Ocean. Free sea lanes are not an abstract concept, but an economic necessity. An escalation of rivalry between Washington and Beijing in this region could jeopardize trade routes and strain supply chains.
Great Britain is facing a diplomatic crisis. A unilateral move by Washington would further strain already tense transatlantic relations. London has not yet responded to inquiries.
The Two Sides of Power
The US presents the potential purchase as a measure to secure the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. Critics see it as further evidence of Washington's willingness to bypass allies when its own interests are at stake. Mauritius, in turn, could benefit financially but finds itself caught between the Great Powers. For Beijing, any American consolidation in the region would be a setback. The Chagos Islands are small, but their strategic value is enormous. Whoever controls them controls a key to the Indian Ocean.
YANUS continues to observe the development.
Source: World – South China Morning Post | Original Article
