Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana has strongly criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plan to cede control of the Chagos Islands, a British territory in the Indian Ocean housing a crucial joint US-UK naval base at Diego Garcia. Kennedy expressed his concerns on the Senate floor, arguing that the decision is strategically unsound and could ultimately benefit China.

The senator's remarks centered on the 2019 International Court of Justice ruling, supported by the United Nations, which contested the UK's claim to the islands. This led to an agreement in October 2024 where the UK pledged to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius. While the agreement stipulates that the base will remain under US and British control for nearly a century, the move has drawn opposition from both nations.

Kennedy characterized the decision as profoundly unwise, questioning the rationale behind relinquishing control to appease the United Nations. He emphasized the strategic importance of the base and expressed his belief that both former President Trump and current Secretary of State Marco Rubio oppose the handover.

Although Kennedy initially used strong language in his critique, he later retracted some of his statements, urging Starmer to reconsider and offering US support in resisting the UN's pressure. He affirmed the US commitment to stand with the UK in maintaining the strategic base.

At the time of reporting, the UK Prime Minister’s office had not responded to requests for comment.