The recent decision by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius is a colossal misstep for the United Kingdom, one that threatens to undermine our global standing and jeopardise our interests abroad.
This decision epitomises the very weakness in Starmer’s foreign policy approach that I warned about in a recent report for the Henry Jackson Society. By ceding control over strategically significant territories, Starmer has not only failed to uphold British sovereignty but has also signalled to adversaries that the United Kingdom is pliable under pressure.
In the international arena, weakness begets challenges. Other states with claims over British territories, such as Spain over Gibraltar and Argentina over the Falkland Islands, will now be emboldened.
They will see the UK’s concession over the Chagos Islands as an invitation to press their own claims. With each concession, the UK’s strategic posture is weakened, and our adversaries are empowered.
There is a fundamental principle at stake here. These territories, whether it be Gibraltar, the Falklands, or the Chagos Islands, are legally British. Their geographic positions relative to other nations are irrelevant.
The notion that proximity should determine sovereignty is a flawed one. If that were the case, would the United States hand over Alaska to Russia? Or perhaps they’d return Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic? Would Hawaii be ceded to Japan?
No one would seriously suggest that these territories be relinquished merely because of their geographical location, so why should the UK be any different?
The Chagos Islands are not just pieces of land in the Indian Ocean—they have immense geopolitical value. British control of Diego Garcia, for instance, is crucial for our strategic presence in the region.
While we retain control of Diego Garcia for the next 99 years, Mauritius is now free to dictate the fate of the remaining islands.
This opens the door for China, which has been relentlessly advancing its “String of Pearls” strategy, a methodical expansion of influence through bases and listening posts across the Indian Ocean and beyond.
This decision has effectively paved the way for China to extend its reach into the region, further encircling us and our allies.
China’s ambitions are clear: it seeks to become a regional hegemon as a stepping stone toward global superpower status. For Beijing, dominating the Pacific and Indian Oceans is not merely desirable but a strategic necessity.
This is why they have been pouring resources into building a series of strategic ports and bases from East Africa to Southeast Asia. The UK’s decision to concede Chagos Islands sovereignty only serves to facilitate China’s grand strategy, moving them one step closer to regional dominance.
In my report for the Henry Jackson Society, I argued that Starmer lacks a coherent foreign policy doctrine. This latest move only reinforces that conclusion.
Starmer seems to view foreign policy as a series of isolated decisions rather than as an integrated strategy that should protect and project British power and influence.
By treating these territorial matters as a bargaining chip, he demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the broader geopolitical consequences.
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What makes this decision all the more troubling is that the UK is not receiving anything substantive in return for this concession. The argument for returning the Chagos Islands to Mauritius hinges on the notion of historical grievances and former colonial injustices.
While it is important to address historical wrongs, national security and geopolitical strategy cannot be compromised in the name of sentimentality. If the UK is to remain a global player, we must prioritize our interests and retain control over strategically significant territories.
We cannot afford to be seen as a country that buckles under pressure. The more we retreat, the more aggressive our adversaries will become. Spain and Argentina are likely already watching closely, ready to press their claims over Gibraltar and the Falklands.
By relinquishing control over the Chagos Islands, Starmer has set a dangerous precedent, one that may well be echoed across other British territories.
Ultimately, sovereignty over these territories is about more than just maps and borders; it’s about power, influence, and security. These islands play a critical role in our ability to project power across the globe, maintain regional stability, and secure our interests. Each concession diminishes our ability to do so, chipping away at the very foundation of our national security.
Starmer’s decision to relinquish sovereignty over the Chagos Islands is a failure of both strategy and leadership. It showcases a lack of foresight and a disregard for the wider implications of such a move.
The UK must take stock of this misstep and reassert its commitment to protecting its territories. If not, we risk further erosion of our global standing and the security of our future.