The UK government has defended a deal to give the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back a key military base, following criticism from US President Donald Trump over its handling.
In a post on social media, Trump labelled the move as an act of great stupidity and total weakness, months after he and senior US officials endorsed it.
In response, the UK government said it would never compromise on our national security, while the prime minister's official spokesperson insisted the US still supported the move.
The UK signed the £3.4bn ($4.6bn) agreement in May, under which it would retain control of a UK-US military base on the largest of the islands, Diego Garcia.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed concern that the UK was giving away Diego Garcia, a strategic military asset, suggesting it was a sign of weakness in the face of international rivals like China and Russia.
Responding, the prime minister's official spokesperson assured that the US supports the deal and expressed confidence in its execution despite it still undergoing parliamentary approval.
Earlier, a UK government spokesperson elaborated that the decision was necessary due to legal threats against the base's operational status.
They affirmed that the agreement secures the joint military operations for generations, emphasizing its strategic importance to international allies.
User opinions vary, with some local Chagossians voicing concerns about their future and exclusion from discussions about the deal.
This ongoing dispute and the strategic ramifications highlight the geopolitical complexity surrounding the Chagos Islands' future.
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