• UK reviewing Chagos Islands deal after Trump's comments.
• Trump criticized the agreement, calling it "terrible".
• The deal was paused previously due to US opposition.

British officials have announced that the UK will reassess its deal to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius following a direct criticism from US President Donald Trump. Trump described the agreement as "terrible" during a meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, indicating a potential shift in diplomatic relations. Burnham nodded in agreement with Trump's assessment, suggesting a more collaborative approach moving forward, according to SCMP and BBC.

The primary issue at stake is a deal originally made under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which proposed ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands while securing a long-term lease for the strategic US-UK military base on Diego Garcia. As a result of Trump's withdrawal of support, the deal has been on hold since April. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized that further discussions are necessary with American officials to align the agreement with U.S. interests, asserting that it is crucial to gain "long-term certainty" for military operations in the region, as noted by India Times and Le Monde.

Since the announcement of the initial deal in May 2025, opposition has surfaced against potentially returning the islands. The UK had faced scrutiny over the original terms, with claims that the deal could involve costs of around £35 billion after inflation. Streeting criticized critics' reluctance, stating that avoidance is not an effective strategy given the national security implications tied to Diego Garcia. This reflects ongoing tensions related to territorial disputes and international diplomacy steeped in history, as mentioned in multiple reports from SCMP, BBC, India Times, and Le Monde.