US signs defence pact with PNG
PORT MORESBY: United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Papua New Guinea’s leader James Marape yesterday signed a defence and maritime surveillance agreement with Papua New Guinea that will make it easier for the forces of both countries to train together.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier pledged support for the Pacific Islands at a summit in the capital Port Moresby.
Washington and its allies are seeking to deter Pacific Island nations from forming security ties with China, a rising concern amid tensions over Taiwan.
Historians have said PNG and the Solomon Islands — which last year struck a security pact with Beijing — were essential to the US drive across the Pacific to liberate the Philippines in World War 2.
Leaders of the islands, which span 40 million square kilometres of ocean, have said rising sea levels caused by climate change is their most pressing security priority.
Blinken told Marape they were signing very important agreements and the United States would deepen its partnership across the board with PNG.
United States President Joe Biden sent ‘‘his regret that he was not able to be here’’, he added. Biden was forced to cancel his trip due to debt ceiling negotiations in Washington.
Modi told the 14 leaders of the Forum for IndiaPacific Islands Cooperation that India would be a reliable development partner to small island states, and was committed to a ‘‘free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific’’.
‘‘Without any doubt we are willing to share our capabilities and experiences in digital technology, space technology, health security, food security, climate change and environment protection,’’ he said.
The Quad leaders, of Australia, United States, Japan and India, had agreed in Hiroshima to increase cooperation with Pacific Island countries, he added.
In his opening remarks, Marape urged India to think of small island states who ‘‘suffer as a result of big nations at play’’.
Marape said Russia’s war with Ukraine, for instance, had caused inflation and high fuel and power prices in the region’s small economies.
Modi held a bilateral meeting with Solomon Islands leader Manasseh Sogavare, whose security deal with China prompted concern from Washington over Beijing’s intentions in the region.
Blinken yesterday signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement between the United States and PNG, and was expected to hold a Pacific Island leaders meeting later.
Several universities held protests at campuses against the signing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement, amid concern it would upset China. Marape has denied it would stop PNG working with China, an important trade partner.
The US defence agreement was an extension of an existing agreement that would boost PNG’s defence infrastructure and capability after decades of neglect, the PNG government said earlier.
Marape said the defence agreement would also see an increase in the US military presence over the next decade.
Washington would provide $US45 million ($NZ71.85 million) in new funds as it partnered with PNG to strengthen economic and security cooperation, including protective equipment for the PNG defence force, climate change mitigation and tackling transnational crime and HIV/ AIDS, the US State Department said. — Reuters