The UK and Mauritius said they’ve made ‘good progress’ in a round of talks to settle the sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago in the Indian Ocean, including the stewardship of a key US-British military base.

Le Week-End, a Mauritian newspaper, reported on Sunday that the two countries could announce a deal early this week after the UK agreed to the front-loading of payments. British officials said that while “a deal is there to be done, it’s not done yet”.

Both countries reiterate their commitment to concluding treaty providing that Mauritius is sovereign over Chagos Archipelago, says joint statement - Anadolu Ajansı

Mauritius is in “no rush” to secure a Chagos Islands deal with the UK and is still pushing for more money, officials have told The Telegraph.

The UK is considering front-loading its funding package for Mauritius as part of a sweetened deal ceding sovereignty of the Chagos islands, including a key UK-US military base, to the Indian Ocean nation.