President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that if the Maldives achieves sovereignty over the southern Chagos islands, the nation could secure an agreement permitting the ongoing operation of the US military base in that area.

The President expressed his views in a Newsweek interview, where he responded to worries brought up by US President Donald Trump about the transfer of Chagos to Mauritius. Trump has openly condemned the UK–Mauritius deal established last year, claiming that it threatens national security because of the strategic significance of the US base at Diego Garcia.

In 1965, the UK detached the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius and subsequently leased it to the United States until 2036 for the establishment and operation of the Diego Garcia military base. According to the 2023 UK–Mauritius agreement, the UK and the US would maintain control of the base, with Mauritius receiving approximately USD 137 million each year in rent.

President Muizzu stated that Trump’s worries arise from the need to maintain the base's safe functioning. He mentioned that Diego Garcia is presently utilized for the defense and security requirements of both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Chagos Archipelago, a series of islands in the Indian Ocean situated 310 miles from Addu City. (File Image)

“If sovereignty over Chagos is granted to the Maldives, the Maldivian government will seek a method to continue the existing military base in Diego Garcia via Parliament, following the Constitution,” he stated.

Muizzu also emphasized that the Maldives possesses expertise in overseeing the Chagos protected region.

Global organizations have formerly urged for the transfer of Chagos to Mauritius. In 2019, the International Court of Justice decided that the UK needs to restore the islands to Mauritius. The ruling was subsequently incorporated in the ITLOS decision regarding the maritime boundary conflict between Mauritius and the Maldives, assigning 95,000 sq km of ocean to Mauritius’ control.

The present administration has vowed to contest the ITLOS ruling and has formed a committee to promote the Maldives’ assertion regarding Chagos.