Washington, Feb 19 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump has openly advised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer against engaging in what he terms a “100-Year Lease” deal with Mauritius concerning Diego Garcia, a vital island in the Indian Ocean that accommodates a significant joint US–UK military installation.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “Leases are no good when it comes to Countries,” expressing concern that Starmer is “making a big mistake by entering a 100 Year Lease with whoever it is that is ‘claiming’ Right, Title, and Interest to Diego Garcia.”

Stressing the strength of US-UK relations, he noted, “Our relationship with the United Kingdom is a strong and powerful one, and it has been for many years.” However, he cautioned that Starmer is “losing control of this important island by claims of entities never known of before. In our opinion, they are fictitious in nature.”

Trump linked the island’s significance to regional security, stating, “Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime -- An attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly Countries.”

He warned, “Prime Minister Starmer should not lose control, for any reason, of Diego Garcia, by entering a tenuous, at best, 100 Year Lease,” adding, “This land should not be taken away from the UK and, if it is allowed to be, it will be a blight on our Great Ally.” He concluded with a stark warning: “DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!”

These comments came shortly after the State Department confirmed that the United States and Mauritius will engage in bilateral talks in Port Louis from February 23–25. The discussions will be led by the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs and will include various US agencies.

The department emphasized that these discussions “underscore the continued importance of the Chagos archipelago and the joint US–UK base on Diego Garcia to our national security.” They will focus on “bilateral security cooperation and effective implementation of security arrangements for the base to ensure its long-term, secure operation.”

The United States also expressed its support for the UK’s decision to proceed with its agreement with Mauritius regarding the Chagos archipelago. It reiterated its intention “to conclude a bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom to guarantee continued use of basing and other facilities in the Chagos archipelago to advance US national security, as well as security and stability across the Indian Ocean.”

At a daily press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was questioned about whether Trump’s comments indicated a shift in US policy after the State Department showed support for the UK’s actions. She responded, “The post should be taken as the policy of the Trump administration.”

“It’s coming straight from the horse’s mouth. When you see it on Truth Social, you know it’s directly from President Trump. That’s the beauty of this president in his transparency and -- and relaying this administration’s policies to all of you and to the rest of the world.”

The Chagos archipelago, which includes Diego Garcia, has been embroiled in a longstanding sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Mauritius. Diego Garcia is home to a crucial joint military facility that has played a role in US operations in the Middle East and throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Its position in the central Indian Ocean provides it with strategic importance for power projection, maritime security, and regional deterrence, issues that are closely monitored in New Delhi as India strengthens its involvement in the Indo-Pacific and observes changes in US–UK–Mauritius relations impacting the region.