According to US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, the United States will deploy a US Coastguard ship to Papua New Guinea as part of its efforts to increase its military presence in the region amid growing competition for influence with China. Austin announced the deployment during his visit to Papua New Guinea, making him the first Pentagon boss to visit the country.

This deployment is a result of a recent defence pact signed between the two nations, providing the United States with greater military access to strategically important regions in the South Pacific. The move aims to demonstrate how increased security cooperation with the US can benefit regional partners and allay concerns about Papua New Guinea becoming entangled in a US-China competition for influence in the region.

Papua New Guinea, located between Taiwan and US ally Australia, holds significant geopolitical importance in the Melanesian region, which played a decisive role in the outcome of World War II in the Pacific.

Austin emphasized that the coastguard deployment will benefit Papua New Guinea by safeguarding its thinly protected maritime resources, preventing activities like illegal fishing and trafficking.

Under the US-Papua New Guinea security pact, the United States will have the ability to operate and develop facilities across the country. The agreement grants US troops and vessels access to six key ports and airports, including facilities in the capital, Port Moresby, and the Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island.

The Lombrum Naval Base holds historical significance, having served as a garrison for various countries during World War II, including Japan, Australia, Britain, Germany, and the United States. During the war, it was a crucial base for the US, with 200 ships, including six battleships and 20 aircraft carriers, anchored there during the campaign to recapture the Philippines from Japan.

Despite the military cooperation, Austin sought to address concerns that the security pact might compromise Papua New Guinea's hard-won independence, assuring that the nation's sovereignty would not be eroded by the agreement.

"I just want to be clear that we're not seeking permanent basing in PNG. This is an opportunity to expand upon a long-standing relationship," Austin said to his hosts.

According to Prime Minister James Marape, the security pact with the United States would play a crucial role in modernizing the infrastructure of Papua New Guinea and enhancing its security capabilities.

"They have never tampered with our sovereignty and our autonomy and our independence. It is not them coming in. We invited them in... to build up our defence to protect our own borders, including stopping the theft of fish from our seas. We're doing this for the betterment of our country," he said.

Image source: Bangkok Post