UK to Review Chagos Islands Deal Over Lack of US Support, Streeting Says

Britain's Defence Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed that the UK government will review its deal over the Chagos Islands after President Donald Trump reportedly criticized the agreement, telling Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham that it was "terrible," according to the BBC.

Streeting told the BBC that the review would take into account the apparent lack of support for the deal from Washington, though he did not detail what specific changes might result from the reassessment or what timeline the government has set.

The Chagos Islands deal, under which Britain agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius while retaining long-term use of the strategically important Diego Garcia military base, has faced criticism from various quarters since it was concluded, including concerns about its cost and geopolitical implications.

Trump's reported remarks to Burnham add a further complication for the UK government, given the close security and defence relationship between Britain and the United States, particularly around the Diego Garcia base, which is jointly used by both countries' militaries.

It remains unclear what outcome the UK's review might produce, including whether the government will seek to renegotiate terms of the agreement with Mauritius or proceed with the deal as originally structured.