US announces deployment of Coastguard ship to Papua New Guinea

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday said that aUS Coastguard ship will be deployed to Papua New Guinea as Washington aims to increase its military footprint in the region amid growing competition for influence with China.

"A US Coastguard cutter will be here in August," said Austin, as he became the first Pentagon boss to visit Papua New Guinea.

The move capitalises on the defence pact which was recently signed between the two countries which offers greater military access to strategically important regions of the South Pacific to the United States.

Washington is willing to show how increased US security cooperation can benefit the regional partners and reduce local fears about Papua New Guinea getting dragged into a battle between US and China for influence in the region.

Papua New Guinea, which lies between Taiwan and US ally Australia, is the most populous and largest state in Melanesia, an area which was important in deciding the final result of World War II in the Pacific.

Papua New Guinea to benefit from coastguard deployment: Austin

Austin emphasised that Papua New Guinea will benefit from the coastguard deployment as it will stop the looting of its thinly protected maritime resources, and will also put a halt on activities like illegal fishing and trafficking.

As per a landmark US-Papua New Guinea security pact which was signed earlier this year, the United States will be able to operate and develop the facilities across the country.

With the agreement of Papua New Guinea, troops and vessels will be stationed by the US military at six key ports and airports, includingfacilities in the capital Port Moresby and Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island.

Washington will have "unimpeded access" to the sites to "pre-position equipment, supplies and materiel" and have "exclusive use" of some zones where development and "construction activities" will be carried out, as per the text.

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In the past, Lombrum has been used as a garrison for Japanese, Australian, British, German, and US troops. It was one of the largest bases of the United States in the Pacific during World War II, with 200 ships at anchor, which include six battleships and 20 aircraft carriers which were used to recapture the Philippines from Japan.

Independence of nation won't be eroded, says Austin

However, Austin tried to address the concerns that the fiercely guarded independence of the South Pacific nation would not be eroded by the pact.

"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.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape said that the pact would help modernise the infrastructure of Papua New Guinea and strengthen its security.

"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.

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