Andy Burnham to push ahead with fresh Chagos capitulation talks next week

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President Donald Trump withdrew his backing and criticised the proposal back in February

Britain and Mauritius are set to resume negotiations over the future of the Chagos Islands next week, pressuring Andy Burnham on whether to proceed with an agreement inherited from Sir Keir Starmer.

Officials from Mauritius are due to meet representatives of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), according to the Mauritian Government.

The discussions follow an earlier meeting between officials from the two countries in July, as efforts continue to resolve the proposed treaty.

A spokesman for the Mauritian Attorney General said Mauritius remained committed to completing the agreement.

“Engagement between Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the Agreement is ongoing,” the spokesman told The Sun newspaper, adding another meeting with the Foreign Office was scheduled for next week.

The proposed deal would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while Britain would retain access to Diego Garcia through a long-term lease.

A strategically important UK-US military facility is hosted on the island, and is regarded by both countries as a key defence and intelligence asset.

The agreement has faced growing uncertainty since February, when US President Donald Trump withdrew his backing and criticised the proposal.

His opposition created a diplomatic dilemma for the new British Government, which must weigh its relationship with Washington against the risk of damaging ties with Mauritius if it abandons the agreement.

The Prime Minister has not yet publicly detailed his position on the treaty since taking office, leaving open the question of whether his Government intends to continue negotiations or seek changes to the arrangement.

The issue is likely to become more pressing ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Mauritius is expected to seek further movement from Britain on the future of the islands.

The Government has continued to defend the strategic case for the agreement.

Foreign Office minister Uma Kumaran told MPs that securing long-term operational control of Diego Garcia remained a “top priority”, and was central to the proposed settlement.

She also argued Britain’s security interests would be strengthened by establishing “legal certainty” over the status of the islands, while confirming that funding for the agreement remained included in budget planning.

Meanwhile, opposition parties have called for the treaty to be abandoned altogether.

The Conservatives have described the proposal as a "surrender of British territory", and warned that it could undermine national security and Britain’s standing with allies.

James Cartlidge, Shadow Defence Secretary, urged Mr Burnham to break with the previous Government’s policy.

He said the agreement had damaged Britain’s international reputation, and could threaten the security of both the UK and its allies, calling on the Prime Minister to abandon the deal and redirect the money towards the armed forces.

The forthcoming talks should provide an early test of Mr Burnham’s foreign and defence policy over one of Britain’s most sensitive overseas territories.