IRIA News

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed a defense and maritime surveillance agreement with Papua New Guinea during his visit on May 22, 2023. Blinken is in the region to bolster ties with leaders of Pacific islands.

Washington’s top diplomat arrived on a trip to Papua New Guinea to meet with the regional leadership as he made up for U.S. President Joe Biden’s canceled trip. Biden had to cut his visit short and return to the U.S. after attending the G7 summit in Japan. Biden returned to Washington to finish talks with the U.S. Congressional leaders regarding the ongoing debt crisis.

According to a statement released by the U.S. State Department Antony Blinken met with Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape. Secretary Blinken and Prime Minister Marape reviewed and signed the new Defense Cooperation Agreement and Bilateral Maritime Law Enforcement Agreement. The two agreements would facilitate bilateral and multilateral exercises and engagements in support of regional capacity-building priorities.

The statement added that the agreement also enables the United States to be more responsive in emergency situations, such as those involving humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Met PNG Prime Minister Marape at the U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Port Moresby. We covered many topics, including the successful conclusion of the new Defense Cooperation Agreement. Our two countries are promoting peace, security, and prosperity in the Pacific region. pic.twitter.com/ouQcO1DWbe

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 22, 2023

Prime Minister Marape said the deal would boost the region’s economic security by giving Papua New Guinea’s defense force “the ability to know what is happening in its waters, something we have never had since 1975”.

Marape stated that the agreement would facilitate the U.S. military presence in the region over the next decade, however, stressed that it would not stop the country from working with its important trade partner, China.

“The defense cooperation was drafted by the United States and Papua New Guinea as equals and sovereign partners,” Antony Blinken said during the agreement signing ceremony. Under the new agreement, The United States will provide $45 million in new funds to Papua New Guinea to strengthen economic and security cooperation.

The defense and maritime agreements are a big breakthrough for the U.S. in developing a new partnership in the Indo-Pacific region. It will facilitate bilateral and multilateral exercises and allow Papua New Guinea to participate in the U.S. Coast Guard’s Shiprider program, enhancing its enforcement capabilities, improving overall maritime domain awareness, and helping the country to protect its sovereignty. Washington is actively seeking more allies in the region to counter China’s increasing maritime influence and military modernization.

During his trip, Secretary Blinken also met with leaders of 14 Pacific islands in Papua New Guinea’s capital Port Moresby. While speaking at the Pacific Island Forum summit, Blinken said “We’re strengthening our partnerships on public health, the climate crisis, economic growth, and other key regional priorities that respond to people’s needs and expectations.”

Blinken also held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins, who was also present in Port Moresby to attend the meeting of the Pacific Island Forum.

Modi pledges support

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also among the attendees of the Pacific Island Forum summit in Port Moresby on May 22, 2023. Modi held a meeting with the 14 leaders of Pacific islands and met Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape in a bilateral meeting.

Modi, who is on his maiden trip to Papua New Guinea, stressed strengthening the partnership between the two countries across multiple sectors. According to a spokesperson of India’s Minister of External Affairs, Modi’s bilateral meeting with Marape “covered strengthening partnership across sectors of trade and investment, health, capacity building and skill development and IT.”

The two leaders “also discussed issues related to climate action and promoting people-to-people ties.” After concluding his trip to Papua New Guinea, Indian Prime Minister Modi traveled to Australia on a two-day official visit.