UK to review Chagos Islands deal over lack of US support

The UK is re-evaluating its agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, according to Defence Secretary Wes Streeting. The announcement came in the wake of US President Donald Trump's criticism of the deal at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. The original proposal would have seen the UK cede control of the territory to Mauritius and maintain a joint UK-US military base there, valued at around £101m ($136m) annually for lease.

The deal was put on hold in April following Trump's withdrawal of his support. Streeting stated that the US's lack of backing for the current terms necessitates a review. He acknowledged that Trump's stance on the matter had not changed, expressing the need for improved collaboration with American allies to secure a more acceptable arrangement.

The ongoing legal dispute between Mauritius and the UK over the islands' acquisition in 1965, argued to be a violation of Mauritian independence, is a key concern, as every UK prime minister since Boris Johnson has maintained that such a legal battle could jeopardize the base's security. During Trump's initial meeting with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the UN General Assembly in New York, the US president dubbed the deal "terrible" and indicated that the UK was considering its future. Burnham responded affirmatively, emphasizing the urgent need for a resolution.