The White House is exploring a proposal to purchase the Chagos Islands directly from Mauritius, according to a report from the Telegraph published Sunday.
American officials have reportedly developed a plan that would circumvent the U.K. and establish a direct agreement to secure control of Diego Garcia, the report stated.
Reuters was unable to immediately verify the Telegraph’s reporting. Both the White House and the UK Foreign Office did not provide immediate responses when asked for comment.
According to the report, this purchasing proposal represents one of multiple options being developed by the White House in a document designed to offer alternatives to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer transferring sovereignty of the Indian Ocean island chain to Mauritius.
The Telegraph also reported that the White House has maintained ongoing conversations with Downing Street regarding the future security of Diego Garcia.
In April, Britain’s government suspended its agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, which houses the joint U.S.-British Diego Garcia military installation that has faced criticism from Trump.
In February, Trump characterized the deal as a “big mistake.”
