Key facts
- The UK is reviewing its deal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
- US President Donald Trump has criticized the deal as 'terrible' and stated the US does not support it.
- Annual payments to Mauritius are on hold as the UK government reconsiders the Chagos Islands deal.
- The deal requires US support to proceed, according to UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting.
- The UK and US share a joint military base on Diego Garcia, a key component of the Chagos Islands deal.
The UK is reviewing its agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius following criticism from US President Donald Trump. Defense Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed that annual payments to Mauritius are on hold, stating the deal 'can’t go ahead without US support.' Trump described the agreement as 'terrible' during a meeting with UK leader Andy Burnham.
The UK signed a treaty last year to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius, while retaining control of the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia under a 99-year lease. Mauritius was set to receive £165 million for three years and £120 million annually thereafter. Streeting indicated that these payments are paused 'at this stage' as the government works to secure a deal acceptable to all parties, including the US.
Streeting acknowledged that Trump's concerns were not a surprise and that the UK would work with the US administration to find a resolution, cautioning against an 'ostrich strategy' of ignoring the issue. He emphasized the strategic importance of Diego Garcia for the national and collective security of the UK and the US, and noted that Mauritius's sovereignty claim could pose a future risk to the base.