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Diego Garcia is present in the Chagos Islands, where the UK-US common military base is present.
Britain has refused to give its airbase to America to attack Iran. America wanted to use these military bases, but Britain refused.
According to the Daily Mail report, US President Donald Trump is angry with this decision of Britain. It is being said that he has withdrawn support from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s agreement in which there was talk of handing over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
According to the report, America is preparing to attack Iran. For this he wants to use Diego Garcia and Britain’s RAF Fairford airbase. Diego Garcia is the largest island of the Chagos Islands. It has been a joint military base of Britain and America since the 1970s.
In fact, according to old agreements, any British military base can be used only if the British Prime Minister approves it. International law also says that if a country knows that military action is wrong and still helps, it can also be held responsible.
Trump said – leaving Chagos Islands is a big mistake
Trump has criticized Britain regarding the Chagos Islands. He wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday that a 100-year lease is not a right decision for any country. It would be a big mistake to leave a place like Diego Garcia.
Trump said that if Iran does not reach an agreement with the US, the US may have to use the airfields of Diego Garcia and Fairford in the Indian Ocean. In such a situation, control of these places is very important.
The British government says that the agreement with Mauritius is necessary for security reasons. They argue that this will avoid long and costly legal disputes. It is being told that this entire agreement may cost around 35 billion pounds (more than 4 thousand billion rupees).
Diego Garcia is part of the Chagos Islands, located in the Indian Ocean. Britain captured these islands after defeating Napoleon in 1814. In 1965, they were separated from Mauritius and became ‘British Indian Ocean Territory’.
When Mauritius gained independence in 1968, it was decided that when these islands were no longer needed for defense, they would be returned to Mauritius. Later, America and Britain together built a joint military base on Diego Garcia.
Diego Garcia may be important for attack on Iran
Diego Garcia is considered important for an attack on Iran because it is a large military base located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. From here America can conduct military operations far and fast.
It is about 3,800 kilometers away from Iran’s capital Tehran. Due to this distance, America can launch long-range missions from here without coming under direct threat.
There is a large airfield on this base, where heavy bomber aircraft like B-2 and B-52 can fly. Large tanker aircraft (such as KC-135) and surveillance aircraft can also operate here. This means air action is possible over longer periods of time and over longer distances.
Not only air facilities, there is also a deep water port here. That means big ships and warships can stop here, take fuel and fill with essential items.
This base is used by both Britain and America together, but it has become a big operation center for America. It has already been used during military operations in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Africa.
Mauritius has been demanding rights to these islands for 50 years
Mauritius has been demanding its rights over these islands since the 1980s and has raised the issue in international courts.
In 2019, the International Court of Justice said in a decision that at the time of granting independence to Mauritius in 1968, the process of decolonization was not completed and Britain should end the administration of the Chagos Islands as soon as possible.
The Conservative government led by Rishi Sunak announced in 2022 that Britain and Mauritius will start talks on the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.
The government said it was necessary to clarify the situation to avoid security and legal disputes, so that the UK-US military base in Diego Garcia could continue to operate without interruption. For this reason, 11 rounds of talks were held with Mauritius before the elections of July 2024.
Sourness in years old friendship between Britain and America
The friendship between Britain and America is very old. From the Second World War to NATO, from the Iraq-Afghanistan war to the intelligence network ‘Five Eyes’, both the countries have been walking on the same line in most matters. But the situation has changed in the recent past, there is opposition on many issues in both the countries.
Four reasons for the distance between America and Britain…
1. Different thinking of both regarding the international situation
The first difference is regarding military action and international law. London is being cautious regarding a possible American attack on Iran. After the Iraq War, many questions were raised in Britain on the policy of ‘attacking first’.
Therefore, now Britain wants legal approval and international support before taking any military action. At the same time, America is in favor of taking quick and strict action citing security threat.
2. America angry about Chagos Islands
The second issue is that of the Chagos Islands. The Chagos Islands and especially Diego Garcia are a very important strategic place. Britain is making an agreement with Mauritius, but America feels that this may weaken its hold in the Indian Ocean.
3. America’s strict foreign policy
The third reason is the internal politics of both the countries. The foreign policy of the current government in America is considered to be very strict and bargaining based. That means she looks at every issue from the perspective of advantages and disadvantages. On the other hand, after Brexit, Britain wants to show the world that it is a country that follows law and international rules.
4. Differences between the two countries also on the issue of Greenland
There is a big difference in the thinking between Britain and America on the issue of Greenland. When Trump expressed his desire to buy Greenland, Britain, like many countries in Europe, expressed surprise at this.
Britain did not directly oppose the US, but it clearly indicated that it respected Denmark’s sovereignty and international rules.
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