Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

DOGE0.070.84%SOL19.370.72%BNB287.900.44%USDC1.000.01%AVAX15.990.06%XLM0.080.37%
USDT1.000%XRP0.392.6%BCH121.000.75%DOT5.710.16%ADA0.320.37%LTC85.290.38%
THE BIZNOB – Global Business & Financial News – A Business Journal – Focus On Business Leaders, Technology – Enterpeneurship – Finance – Economy – Politics & LifestyleTHE BIZNOB – Global Business & Financial News – A Business Journal – Focus On Business Leaders, Technology – Enterpeneurship – Finance – Economy – Politics & Lifestyle

Politics

Politics

Modi and Blinken meet Pacific leaders in PNG.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is greeted by Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James... India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is greeted by Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape at Jackson International Airport, at Papua New Guinea May 21, 2023. Papua New Guinea government/Handout via REUTERS
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is greeted by Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James... India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is greeted by Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape at Jackson International Airport, at Papua New Guinea May 21, 2023. Papua New Guinea government/Handout via REUTERS

Listen to the article now

At a Monday summit in Papua New Guinea, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged help for the Pacific Islands. At the same time, the U.S. Secretary of State was due to visit Pacific leaders and sign a defense deal with the country.

Washington and its allies want to prevent Pacific Island states, which cover 40 million square kilometers (15 million square miles), from forging security relations with China, a growing concern given Taiwan tensions.

Historians say PNG and the Solomon Islands, which signed a security pact with Beijing last year, were crucial to the U.S. march across the Pacific to free the Philippines in World War Two.

Pacific Island chiefs say climate change-induced sea levels are their top security concern.

Modi told the 14 Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation leaders that India would be a trusted development partner to small island states and 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 in opening remarks.

He noted that in Hiroshima, the Quad leaders—Australia, the US, Japan, and India—agreed to expand Pacific Island cooperation.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape encouraged India to consider small island governments that “suffer as a result of big nations at play” in his opening remarks.

Marape said Russia’s war with Ukraine generated inflation and rising fuel and power prices in the region’s small economies.

Modi met with Solomon Islands leader Manasseh Sogavare, whose security arrangement with China raised Washington’s concerns about Beijing’s regional ambitions.

In the afternoon, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will sign a Defense Cooperation Agreement with PNG and meet with Pacific Island leaders.

Concerned about upsetting China, several institutions protested the Defence Cooperation Agreement. However, Marape denies it would prevent PNG from trading with China.

The PNG government stated the U.S. defense accord was an extension of an existing agreement that would improve PNG’s defense infrastructure and capability after decades of neglect.

Marape told media Sunday that the defense deal would enhance U.S. military presence over the next decade.

The U.S. State Department stated it would send $45 million to PNG to boost economic and security cooperation, including protective equipment for the PNG defense force, climate change mitigation, and transnational crime and HIV/AIDS.

Blinken visited a clinic where U.S. money increases HIV/AIDS testing and antiretroviral medication.

The PNG Post Courier reported that U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral John Aquino presented PNG’s defense force with personal protective equipment at Murray Barracks.


Comment Template

You May Also Like

Business

Starting in 2024, the IRS will lower the Form 1099-K reporting threshold to $5,000 for business transactions via payment platforms like PayPal and Venmo....

Business

The stock market saw major premarket moves on February 14, 2025. Roku and Airbnb surged on strong earnings, while Moderna and Informatica fell on...

Business

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway trimmed its stake in DaVita amid a weaker 2025 outlook, causing an 8% stock decline. Rising costs and dialysis center...

Business

Stock futures dipped amid new trade policy shifts from President Trump, while GameStop surged on crypto investment speculation. Major retailers scaled back DEI commitments,...

Notice: The Biznob uses cookies to provide necessary website functionality, improve your experience and analyze our traffic. By using our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Cookie Policy.

Ok