The UK government has paused the process of ratifying the deal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while discussions continue with the United States.
The agreement would hand control of the islands to Mauritius and include an annual £101m lease for a joint UK-US military base on the largest island.
The pause follows US President Donald Trump urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reconsider the treaty, despite earlier backing it.
Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer told MPs that the UK is engaging directly with US officials to address their concerns. He noted that the US had initially supported the treaty when it was signed last year but recent statements from the president are significant.
Falconer confirmed that the treaty process in parliament will resume at an appropriate time after the UK and US complete their discussions.
The Chagos Islands deal is a key strategic move for the UK and Mauritius, balancing sovereignty and defence interests while maintaining the military partnership with the United States.
