In a high-stakes sovereignty deal between the U.K. and Mauritius, the strategic Chagos Archipelago—including the crucial U.S.-U.K. military base on Diego Garcia—is set to fall under Mauritian control, sparking serious U.S. security concerns. The agreement, aimed at stabilizing British influence and ensuring a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, now risks creating a vulnerability that China is ready to exploit.
China’s growing presence in Mauritius, backed by over $1 billion in investments, raises alarms about a potential Beijing foothold in the Indian Ocean, a crucial link in global trade and a strategic military zone for U.S. operations in both Asia and the Middle East. Diego Garcia, a pivotal staging ground for military operations and intelligence in the Indo-Pacific, could face interference or surveillance risks if Chinese influence takes root in the archipelago.
Though Mauritius has pledged not to disrupt the current lease, the reality of growing economic dependency on China may pressure the island nation toward deeper ties with Beijing. The U.S. and U.K. now face a looming challenge to counteract China’s soft-power diplomacy in the region to prevent a strategic setback that could impact intelligence gathering, military staging, and regional stability.
As Chinese influence builds in this sensitive area, Western allies must explore ways to keep Mauritius aligned with their interests—balancing soft diplomacy and strategic incentives to curb Beijing’s ambitions.
