Diego Garcia: Britain's Strategic Military Base in the Indian Ocean and Its Geographic Proximity to Sumatra
The brutal and lethal attack by Israel and the United States on Iran on Saturday, 28 February, shocked the world.
US President Donald Trump stated that it took “too long” for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to change his position after initially refusing to permit the use of the British-American Diego Garcia base to target Iran.
Diego Garcia, a military base owned by Britain and jointly used by the United States, is located in the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,000 kilometres south of Sumatra, Indonesia. Its strategic location makes this base an important centre for military operations and logistics for the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean.
The Diego Garcia base is located near several strategic areas and routes, and possesses long runway facilities, logistical warehouses, advanced communication systems, and a naval base capable of accommodating warships and fighter jets. Its geographic position enables long-range military operations in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, and Southeast Asia regions.
Analysts emphasise that the presence of this base allows the US and Britain to secure global trade routes and project military power across the Indian Ocean and surrounding areas. Although situated far from mainland territories, the base plays an important role in maritime stability and regional security.
Meanwhile, Starmer announced on Sunday, 1 March, that American forces would be permitted to operate from the British base against Iran, but only in a limited capacity targeting missile locations.
Trump highlighted issues surrounding Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago in an interview with the Daily Telegraph newspaper.
“Such things may never have happened before between our countries,” he said, adding: “It seems he is concerned about its legality.”
The US-Israeli military attack on Iran occurred on 28 February 2026, coinciding with negotiations between Tehran and Washington. The attack killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior Iranian officials. In response, Iran targeted strategic locations in Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, where American bases are located.
The Iranian Red Crescent reported that at least 201 people were killed and 747 others wounded as a result of the attacks.
The Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency called on regional governments and residents living in the western coastal areas of Sumatra to increase vigilance against potential high-intensity rainfall.
The Nation’s Conscience Movement expressed deep condolences to all victims and sympathy for those affected by catastrophic floods and landslides in various regions of Sumatra.
Catastrophic flash floods and landslides that struck Sumatra since last weekend have severed many terrestrial communication networks and left thousands of residents isolated.
The Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency reminded the public to be vigilant against the threat of earthquakes from the Sumatra Fault. Researcher Mudrik R. Daryono from the National Research and Innovation Agency revealed that the Sumatra Fault divides the Sumatra island.
Flooding that has inundated the main route through Sumatra for over a week—specifically the eastern cross-island highway (Jalintim) from kilometre 75 to kilometre 84 in Pelalawan Regency, Riau—continues to cause significant disruption.
US President Donald Trump harshly criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s plan to hand over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, calling the agreement a major mistake.
US President Donald Trump called the transfer of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius a “foolish action”. Britain defended the agreement, worth approximately 72 trillion rupiah, for the sake of the military base.
Pope Leo XIV called Britain’s transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius a “major victory” for Chagos refugees.
US President-elect Donald Trump will be consulted regarding the agreement between Britain and Mauritius concerning the transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, including the Diego Garcia military base.
The British Foreign Office announced that Britain has reached an agreement with Mauritius to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean.