UK to review Chagos Islands deal after Trump's latest criticism
The UK government is reviewing its agreement to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius following criticism from US President Donald Trump. The deal, which involves leasing back a strategic military base on Diego Garcia, is currently paused due to lack of US support.
Why it matters
The situation underscores the influence of US foreign policy on UK territorial decisions and the strategic importance of military bases in the Indian Ocean.
Image source, Getty Image caption, A strategic military base is located on the Chagos archipelago's largest island, Diego Garcia
The UK is reviewing its deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, the defence secretary has said.
Wes Streeting confirmed the deal was being looked at again after US President Donald Trump called it "terrible" at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
The original agreement would see the UK cede sovereignty of the territory to Mauritius and pay an average of £101m ($136m) per year to lease back a joint UK-US military base there, prized for its strategic location in the Indian Ocean.
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