Military base on Diego Garcia Island: British and American leaders discuss sovereignty issues

Prime Minister Starmer and U.S. President Trump held a phone call to discuss the important joint military base operated by the UK and the US on Diego Garcia, located in the Indian Ocean. This island serves as a core strategic hub for both countries, and the dialogue focused on the future management of the base.

Major Shift in President Trump’s Position

A notable point is that President Trump has fundamentally reversed his previous stance. He has shifted 180 degrees from his earlier position and announced that he no longer supports returning sovereignty of Diego Garcia to Mauritius. This decision is expected to attract international attention.

Both Countries Confirm the Strategic Value of the Base

Leaders from both nations reaffirmed the geopolitical importance and strategic value of the military base on Diego Garcia. As a key defense outpost in the Indian Ocean region, the base represents shared security interests for both countries. Prime Minister Starmer and President Trump agreed to strengthen close cooperation to ensure the continued stable operation of the base.

Background of the Reversal from Last Month’s Criticism

Last month, President Trump issued strong criticism of the plan to transfer Diego Garcia to Mauritius. At that time, he described the proposal as a “weak diplomatic decision” and an “unreasonable move.” This policy shift appears to be based on a thorough reassessment of the base’s strategic importance and a re-evaluation of national defense priorities. It suggests that the military role of Diego Garcia has been unified in the minds of both U.S. and UK leadership.