Papua New Guinea Approves Pukpuk Defence Treaty With Australia

An important milestone in the regional security cooperation is the formal emergence of the Pukpuk Defence Treaty, which is soon to be ratified by Papua New Guinea. The treaty obliges Australia and PNG to assist each other in the event of armed aggression. It thus strengthens existing defence ties and establishes a new alliance in the Pacific. According to Marape, the treaty represents “a milestone in bilateral relations” that fortifies mutual trust and strategic interests. The Pukpuk Development Treaty envisions the possibility of calling on 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve under dual arrangements in the Australian Defence Force. Both countries will continue to retain the freedom to maintain defence ties with other countries. Joint training, strategic planning, and intelligence sharing arrangements are also covered by the agreement. The Treaty needs to be brought before Parliament for ratification in both countries, though it has gained cabinet approval in PNG. It is observed by analysts that the Treaty thus provides formal legal support for operations that have already been conducted collaboratively.In his comments, the Prime Minister noted that such an agreement reflects much trust and common strategic priorities. He stressed that PNG must hold guard over its sovereignty, while at the same time providing for security in the region. Australia has been portrayed as PNG’s closest partner when it comes to defence. Another significant area that the treaty covers encompasses present-day concerns of the Pacific, such as maritime security, disaster response, and border protection. By approving the treaty, PNG hopes to shore up its position in a quickly evolving geopolitical landscape.China has also voiced concern over the treaty. The Chinese embassy in PNG asked the government not to deny any sort of third-party cooperation. According to experts, the treaty is part of Australia’s strategy to counter China’s expanding influence in the Pacific. Analysts caution that it might even serve to heighten strategic competition in the region. The administration in Canberra has justified the treaty as being in defence, whereas Beijing regards it as a disturbance to regional equilibrium.

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