Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent: An Israeli raid targeted the outskirts of the town of al-Qatrani, Jezzine District
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent: Israeli warplanes launch a raid targeting the vicinity of the Burguz area
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in southern Lebanon: An Israeli airstrike targeted the outskirts of Jbaa in the Iqlim al-Tuffah region
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in southern Lebanon: An Israeli airstrike targeted the outskirts of the town of Ansar
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on the al-Mahmoudiyah area
New York Times: Trump plans to meet with Putin as soon as next week
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli drones repeatedly strike the area targeted by Israeli warplanes in the town of Deir Saryan, preventing ambulance crews from advancing to the scene
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli warplanes launch a series of raids targeting the outskirts of the town of Deir Saryan
Reuters: 5 soldiers injured by gunfire in shooting at Fort Stewart US military base in Georgia
Trump order imposes additional 25% tariff on goods from India

Papua New Guinea, US ink security pact amid protests

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 22 May 2023 13:14
3 Min Read

Blinken says each of the two nations would be able to board the other's vessels, share technical expertise, and "better patrol" the seas together.

  • x
  • Papua New Guinea, US ink security pact
    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Papua New Guinea Defense Minister Win Bakri Daki shake hands after signing a security agreement, on May 22, 2023 (AFP)

Papua New Guinea (PNG) signed a defense pact with the United States on Monday, giving US forces access to its airfields and ports as Washington seeks to increase its influence and expand its footprint in the Pacific region.

Defense Minister Win Bakri Daki inked the deal with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken before the start of a US meeting with the leaders of 14 South Pacific island states in the capital Port Moresby.

"A defence cooperation agreement is done," Prime Minister James Marape said at the signing ceremony, adding that the Pacific island was "elevating" its relationship with the United States.

Blinken said each of the two nations would be able to board the other's vessels, share technical expertise, and "better patrol" the seas together.

"We are working together to shape the future. We are very much looking forward to taking our partnership to the next level," he said.

Intensifying rivalry

In a sign of the intensifying rivalry over the South Pacific, Blinken was not alone in representing major powers.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew into town just hours before him on the eve of his own summit, asserting his nation's role as a regional power.

Related News

Report reveals abuse of pregnant women, children at ICE facilities

Hezbollah will withstand pressure, is able to defend itself: Araghchi

"We share your belief in multilateralism. We support a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. We respect the sovereignty and integrity of all countries," Modi told Pacific leaders in a separate summit.

By signing the security deal with PNG, Blinken will also expand the US military's capacity to deploy in the region.

The State Department said the pact with PNG would "enhance security cooperation and further strengthen our bilateral relationship, improve the capacity of the PNG Defence Force, and increase stability and security in the region."

Marape last week said the deal would offer Washington movement in the country's waters in return for access to US satellite surveillance to battle "illegal activities on the high sea."

The deal would not prevent him from signing similar agreements with other nations, including China, he said.

China on Friday said it opposes the "introduction of any geopolitical games into the Pacific Island country region," without specifically referring to the deal or Blinken's visit.

Student protests

The agreement has also prompted student protests at several universities, PNG's biggest newspaper the Post Courier reported, over fears it gives US forces too much autonomy at some of the country's key entry points.

Security was high in the capital on Monday, with roads blocked and bomb squad cars stationed around its downtown beach area close to where the leaders were meeting. Officers were also patrolling nearby waters on speedboats and jet skis.

Blinken replaced Joe Biden at the summit after the US president canceled the trip to take part in debt ceiling talks in Washington. 

Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral John Aquino, also visited a barracks in Oro Province on Monday where he was met by a military parade, the Courier reported.

Read more: China, Papua New Guinea discuss free trade

  • United States
  • US
  • Pacific islands
  • James Marape
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Antony Blinken

Most Read

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Shiekh Naim Qassem giving a speech commemorating the anniversay of martyr Mohammed Saeed Izadi, August 5, 2025, in Lebanon

Sheikh Qassem threatens 'Israel', warns against foreign intervention

  • Politics
  • 5 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025
Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Tech joins the fight: Silicon Valley powers US war drive
Technology

Tech joins the fight: Silicon Valley powers US war drive

Slovenia to ban imports of Israeli settlement goods
Politics

Slovenia to ban import of goods produced in Israeli settlements

IOF pillaged schools in Lebanon, HRW exposes war crimes
Politics

Israeli troops looted, vandalized schools in South Lebanon: HRW

Zelensky’s trust drops after anti-corruption reforms spark uproar
Politics

Trust in Zelensky drops after anti-corruption reforms spark uproar

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS