President Muizzu says Maldives can find a constitutional way to continue operating the US base if Chagos sovereignty is granted

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said that if the Maldives gains sovereignty over the southern Chagos islands, the country would be able to reach an agreement that allows continued operation of the US military base in the region.

The President made the remarks in an interview with Newsweek, where he addressed concerns raised by US President Donald Trump regarding the transfer of Chagos to Mauritius. Trump has publicly criticised the UK–Mauritius agreement signed last year, arguing that it poses national security risks due to the strategic importance of the US base in Diego Garcia.

The Chagos Archipelago was separated from Mauritius by the UK in 1965 and later leased to the United States until 2036 to establish and operate the Diego Garcia military facility. Under the 2023 UK–Mauritius agreement, control of the base would remain with the UK and the US, while Mauritius would receive around USD 137 million annually in rent.

President Muizzu said Trump’s concerns stem from ensuring the continued safe operation of the base. He noted that Diego Garcia is currently used for the defence and security needs of both the United States and the United Kingdom.

“If Maldives is given sovereignty over Chagos, the Maldivian government will find a way to proceed with the current military base in Diego Garcia through Parliament in accordance with the Constitution,” he said.

Muizzu also highlighted that the Maldives has experience in managing the Chagos protected area.

International bodies have previously called for the handover of Chagos to Mauritius. In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that the UK must return the islands to Mauritius. The ruling was later reflected in the ITLOS judgment on the maritime boundary dispute between Mauritius and the Maldives, which placed 95,000 sq km of ocean under Mauritius’ jurisdiction.

The current administration has pledged to appeal the ITLOS decision and has established a committee to advance the Maldives’ claim over Chagos.