“Geng AS Lawan China Kumpul di Papua Nugini – Kabar Terbaru 2023”

International

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The allies of the United States (US) are reported to be gathering in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Monday (22/5/2023). One of the figures who came was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Modi came in promising support for the Pacific Islands at a summit in neighboring Indonesia, while Blinken is scheduled to meet Pacific leaders and sign a defense agreement with Papua New Guinea.

Washington and its allies are currently trying to prevent Pacific Island nations, which span 40 million square kilometers (15 million square miles), from forming a security relationship with China.

Historians say PNG and the Solomon Islands, which last year struck a security pact with Beijing, were critical to the US’s efforts across the Pacific to liberate the Philippines in World War Two.

Pacific Island leaders also say sea level rise caused by climate change is their most pressing security priority.

Modi told the 14 leaders of the India-Pacific Islands Cooperation Forum that India will be a reliable development partner for the small island nation, and is committed to a free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific.

“Without hesitation we are willing to share our capabilities and experience in digital technology, space technology, health security, food security, climate change and environmental protection,” he said in his opening remarks, citing Reuters.

While QUAD leaders consisting of Australia, the United States, Japan and India, have agreed in Hiroshima, Japan to increase cooperation with Pacific Island countries.

In his opening remarks, PNG Prime Minister James Marape urged India to think about the small island nation that is suffering at the hands of big nations.

Marape said Russia’s war with Ukraine, for example, had led to inflation and high fuel and electricity prices in the region’s small economy. On the other hand, Marape denied that he would stop PNG from working with China, an important trading partner. Marape told the media that the defense agreement would also see an increase in US military presence over the next decade.

Meanwhile, Washington will provide US$45 million in new funding as it partners with PNG to strengthen economic and security cooperation, including protective equipment for PNG defense forces, climate change mitigation and tackling transnational crime and HIV/AIDS, the US State Department said.

(dce)