Britain is set to shelve its agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, where a vital Anglo-American military base is located, according to a BBC report on Saturday.

The reversal stems from strong opposition by US President Donald Trump, who in January urged British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to abandon the deal, describing it as an “act of total weakness.”

The development is expected to trigger shock and dismay in Mauritius and India’s security establishment. The Mauritian government has yet to respond, as London has not issued a formal announcement. Reports indicate that Britain has received no official communication from the US on the matter, and a bill to enact the transfer has not yet been presented to Parliament.

Nevertheless, the deal is unlikely to proceed given President Trump’s influence over the UK.

Timing Coincides with Indian Ocean Conference

The news comes amidst the ongoing Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) in Port Louis........

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