The United Kingdom is reviewing its agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, with Defence Secretary Wes Streeting saying the deal will be reworked following concerns raised by the United States.
Streeting confirmed the review on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump criticised the agreement during his meeting with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The agreement, negotiated under the previous UK government, would see Mauritius gain sovereignty over the Indian Ocean archipelago while allowing Britain and the United States to continue operating the strategically important military base on Diego Garcia.
The UK has already paused implementation of the agreement amid concerns over its long-term implications for the base.
Trump has repeatedly criticised the proposed arrangement, while the US has stressed the strategic importance of Diego Garcia to its military operations in the Indian Ocean and wider region.
Streeting said the UK remained committed to reaching an arrangement with Mauritius but would revisit the terms to address concerns surrounding the future of the military base.
The Chagos Islands have been under British control since 1965. Mauritius has long argued that the islands were detached from its territory unlawfully before independence.
The review now leaves the future terms and timing of the sovereignty transfer subject to further negotiations between the UK, Mauritius and the United States.