From Nixon To Trump: The Evolving Shadow Of Diego Garcia Over India-US Relations

WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald Trump has declared he is determined to protect the United States military presence at Diego Garcia, vowing he will never allow the strategic base to be undermined by external claims or legal challenges. In a series of statements, the President warned that he retains the right to militarily secure and reinforce the island if a recent lease agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius fails or if American forces are endangered. This assertive stance marks a significant shift in regional dynamics, directly impacting India’s strategic and economic interests in the Indian Ocean.

The base is a critical hub for American power projection across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. It supports long-range bomber missions, intelligence collection, and nuclear capable aircraft, including those recently deployed against Houthi rebels in Yemen. While Trump acknowledged that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the best deal possible in the 2025 UK-Mauritius Treaty, his threat to take direct military control if the deal falters creates a complex diplomatic landscape for New Delhi.

India has long supported the return of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, aligning with its anti-colonial stance and its desire to limit China’s expanding footprint in the region. The current 99-year lease arrangement was viewed as a win-win, ensuring American security needs while restoring Mauritian sovereignty. However, a unilateral move by the United States to assume direct control would effectively strip Mauritius of its ownership. Such an outcome would render existing international agreements void, including a $680 million economic assistance package India recently provided to Mauritius for development and marine monitoring.

The history of Diego Garcia remains a sensitive point in Indo-US relations. The decision to establish the base was made during the Nixon administration, which famously sent the 7th Fleet into the Bay of Bengal to pressure India during the 1971 war. While modern ties between Washington and New Delhi have deepened significantly, any destabilization of the sovereignty agreement could complicate India’s regional leadership.

The Biden administration had previously welcomed the UK-Mauritius deal as a diplomatic resolution to a long-standing dispute. In contrast, President Trump has labeled challenges to the US presence as fake claims or environmental nonsense. Downing Street confirmed that while both leaders recognize the strategic importance of the base, the United States now asserts a more unilateral role in ensuring the facility remains an indispensable platform for military operations. For India, the challenge lies in balancing its partnership with Washington while protecting its significant investments and diplomatic ties with Mauritius in an increasingly contested Indian Ocean. (IANS with media inputs)