Reform UK leader argues Maldives, not Mauritius, has legitimate links to Chagos Islands

British opposition politician Nigel Farage has said the Maldives has historical ties to the Chagos Islands and argued that Mauritius has no legitimate claim over the territory.

Farage, the leader of the Reform UK Party, made the remarks after a recent visit to the Maldives, during which he attempted to travel to the Chagos Islands. He said the UK government prevented him from making the trip.

Speaking about the sovereignty dispute, Farage said the Maldives has long‑standing links to the Chagos Islands through trade, culture and archaeology, and claimed that the islands were historically connected to the Maldivian language before being renamed by the French. He argued that Mauritius has “no historical or cultural basis” to claim the islands. 

Farage also said the Maldives is “upset” by the UK’s ongoing negotiations to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The proposed agreement would allow Mauritius to take control of the archipelago while the UK and United States maintain their joint military base on Diego Garcia under a long‑term lease. 

He further claimed that the Maldives is preparing to submit a counter‑claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), asserting that if any country has a rightful claim to the islands, it is the Maldives. 

Farage warned that the sovereignty transfer could destabilise the region, saying it may fuel geopolitical tensions between India and China. He urged the UK government to pause the process and reconsider its approach. 

Farage had travelled to the Maldives to join a group delivering humanitarian supplies to Chagossians attempting to resettle one of the outer islands. He said UK authorities pressured Maldivian officials to stop him from boarding the vessel, a claim the UK Foreign Office rejected, saying he was turned away from a sensitive military area without proper clearance.