The United Kingdom has temporarily halted payments of up to £120 million annually to Mauritius, as the government reconsiders its agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting stated that these payments, which support a joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, will not be made "at this stage" until a resolution is reached that includes support from the United States. The UK government signed a treaty in May 2023, transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Under a 99-year agreement, the UK committed to paying £165 million annually for the first three years, which would then decrease to £120 million per year. These funds are intended to ensure the continued operation of the military base on Diego Garcia, which is considered a key strategic location for both nations. U.S. President Donald Trump has previously criticized the agreement, calling it "terrible" and emphasizing the strategic importance of the islands. During a meeting with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in New York, Trump expressed his opposition to the deal. Burnham stated that the government would "work hard" to find a resolution that satisfies all parties involved. Streeting emphasized that the agreement cannot proceed without American support and that the UK must secure agreement from the U.S., Mauritius, and its own government to maintain the military base at Diego Garcia. Mauritius's claim to the Chagos Archipelago was supported by an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in 2019, which stated that the UK's administration of the islands was illegal. Although the ruling is currently advisory, Streeting warned that further legal action by Mauritius could threaten the UK and U.S. military presence on the islands. The current UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, initially believed they had the support of all parties involved. However, concerns raised in Washington have led to the current pause in payments. Streeting acknowledged the complexity of the situation but stressed the strategic importance of Diego Garcia, cautioning against ignoring the issue.