The United States and Mauritius are set to engage in bilateral discussions in Port Louis next week, focusing on security cooperation and the future operation of the military base on Diego Garcia in the Chagos archipelago. Scheduled from February 23 to 25, the talks will be led by the Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs with participation from various US interagency representatives. The importance of the Chagos archipelago and the joint US–UK base on Diego Garcia to national security has been emphasized by officials.
The discussions will primarily address bilateral security cooperation and the effective implementation of security arrangements for the base to ensure its long-term, secure operation. The United States has expressed support for the United Kingdom’s decision to move forward with its agreement with Mauritius regarding the Chagos archipelago. Additionally, Washington has reiterated its interest in finalizing a separate bilateral agreement with the UK to secure continued use of basing and other facilities in the Chagos archipelago for advancing US national security and promoting security and stability across the Indian Ocean.
The talks coincide with a 2025 arrangement between London and Port Louis, where sovereignty of the Chagos Islands will transfer to Mauritius while retaining the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia under a leaseback provision. Diego Garcia serves as a vital logistics, air, and naval hub for US and allied forces, offering strategic reach across the Middle East, South Asia, and the wider Indo-Pacific region. The strategic significance of developments in the archipelago is particularly notable for India and other Indian Ocean littoral states due to the region’s critical sea lanes of communication and its central role in maritime security considerations.
