UK government denies Chagos Islands deal bill is paused
BBC World
February 25, 2026
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The UK government has denied that the Chagos Islands deal with Mauritius is paused, despite Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer stating earlier that discussions with the US had led to a "pause" in the legislative process. The government emphasized that there was no official deadline for the deal and that timings would be announced as usual. This comes after President Donald Trump urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to scrap the agreement, despite previous US support for the treaty. The Chagos Islands, officially known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, have been under UK control since the early 19th century. Under the deal, the UK would cede sovereignty to Mauritius while leasing back a joint military base on Diego Garcia.
The legislation, which is in its final stages of passage through Parliament, was temporarily delayed when the House of Lords pulled a debate on it earlier this year due to opposition from Conservatives who oppose the deal. Falconer claimed that the pause was only for discussions with the US and that the bill would return to Parliament at an appropriate time. Mauritius's Attorney General Gavin Glover noted that there had been no direct discussions about the legislative process in recent weeks, but stressed that the UK remained committed to the agreement.
The deal has significant geopolitical implications, as Diego Garcia is a critical military base for both the US and the UK. Trump's opposition highlights the potential strain on US-UK relations over the issue. While the US State Department initially supported the UK's plan, Falconer acknowledged the importance of addressing Trump's concerns. Maurit
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/25/2026