Indo-Pacific Tussle: The Significance of Papua New Guinea
Why are the major world powers after it?
In the vast expanse of the Indo-Pacific region, nestled between the Coral Sea and the mighty Pacific Ocean, lies a small island nation that has unexpectedly found itself at the center of a major geopolitical tussle. Papua New Guinea, a small island nation with a rich cultural heritage, has captured the attention of major world powers, leaving many to wonder: what makes this nation so significant?
Today, amidst the shifting geopolitical landscape, countries like India, the United States, Australia, and China are all vying to cultivate strong ties with this island nation. In this article, we delve into the significance of Papua New Guinea, exploring its location, historical affiliations, and the strategic factors that have led to its coveted status.
Introducing Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea, situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, along with numerous smaller islands. It shares land borders with Indonesia to the west and is surrounded by the Coral Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Additionally, it has maritime borders with Australia to the south and the Solomon Islands to the southeast.
Papua New Guinea is the world’s 54th-largest country and the third-largest island country in terms of land area. Boasting diverse landscapes, ranging from rugged mountains to lush rainforests and pristine coastlines, Papua New Guinea showcases incredible natural beauty. Furthermore, due to its location at the point of collision of several tectonic plates, it also hosts some of the most active volcanoes in the world.
The nation is home to over 800 different languages and a vibrant cultural tapestry, making it a truly unique and diverse place. Not only is it the most linguistically diverse country in the world, but it is also the most rural country, with just 13.25% of the population living in urban areas. The government estimates the country’s population at 9.4 million, but several recent reports suggest the true population is somewhere around 17 million.
Foreign Relations and Partnerships
Over the years, Papua New Guinea has developed relationships with various countries, shaping its geopolitical dynamics. Australia, as its closest neighbor, has played a significant role in providing aid, investment, and defense cooperation for a long time.
Additionally, neighboring countries and regions such as Indonesia, ASEAN, and the Pacific island nations have contributed to Papua New Guinea’s regional partnerships. It also maintains good relations with most countries across the globe, including China, Japan, Singapore, India, and the USA. PNG follows a non-alignment foreign policy, meaning it does not participate in any formal military alliances like NATO.
For the past decade or so, China has shown a keen interest in the island nation and has made massive investments, emerging as a strong economic and defense partner. China has also become the country’s biggest trade partner in recent years, surpassing Australia.
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the nation in 2018 when PNG hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), thereby making PNG a part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Last year, some news outlets reported plans for a Chinese military and naval base to be developed in PNG.
“The futuristic $8 billion development project is set to include an airport, naval base, and military base carved out of jungle land in Orokolo Bay, about 250 kilometers northwest of the capital Port Moresby.”
Source: Daily Mail Australia
However, both Chinese and PNG authorities have dismissed such reports. Elias R. Wohengu, the Foreign Affairs Secretary of PNG, dismissed these reports as misleading and said,
“We want shipping ports open for International shipping line to export the products that would come out from the Ihu Special Economic Zone Project and allegations that China would use their involvement in this national project to establish a Military base is unfounded and very harmful to say the least to PNG/China bilateral relations.”
Source: Global Times (A Chinese News Outlet)
Modi and Biden had also planned a visit to Port Moresby after attending the G7 summit in Hiroshima to counter the increasing Chinese influence and bolster PNG’s relations with the Quad countries. There was great excitement in PNG about this visit, and preparations had been underway for about six months, as it was the first time the heads of state of India and the USA were visiting PNG.
However, US President Joe Biden canceled his trip and instead flew home to Washington to focus on domestic problems. PNG was quite disappointed by this news, but the US-Papua New Guinea Defense Cooperation Agreement was still signed in the presence of the USA’s Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
On the 21st of May, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the nation to attend the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and strengthen India’s ties with the Pacific Island Nations, particularly PNG. In a special gesture, Prime Minister James Marape received PM Modi at the airport and, following Indian customs, touched his feet to seek his blessings. A salute of 19 guns and a Guard of Honor were accorded to PM Modi.
This visit has proven to be highly successful in elevating relations between India and the Pacific Island countries to the next level. This was evident from the statements made by PNG’s Prime Minister, Marape:
“We are victims of global powerplay… You (PM Modi) are the leader of Global South. We will rally behind your (India) leadership at global forums.”
“We want you to be an advocate for us. As you sit in those meetings and continue to fight for the rights of small emerging nations and emerging economies.”
Strategic Importance of PNG
Papua New Guinea’s strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific stems from several key factors. Firstly, its location places it at the crossroads of major shipping routes, making it a vital hub for maritime trade. The Coral Sea, through which a significant portion of global trade passes, lies adjacent to Papua New Guinea. This geographical advantage positions the nation as a gateway between the Pacific and Asia, attracting the attention of major world powers seeking to secure their economic and security interests.
Secondly, Papua New Guinea possesses abundant natural resources, including minerals, oil, and gas. Its resource-rich landscapes have attracted significant foreign investment, particularly from countries like China. With the growing demand for resources in the Indo-Pacific region, Papua New Guinea’s wealth of natural resources has become a valuable asset for nations seeking to secure their energy needs and economic growth.
Furthermore, the geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific has prompted major powers to seek influence and allies in the region. Papua New Guinea’s significance extends beyond its geographical location and resources. Its vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ), rich in fisheries and marine resources, holds immense strategic importance. All of this makes PNG a significant player in the Indo-Pacific.
Final Thoughts
Will Papua New Guinea take sides, or will it remain non-aligned? Well, only time will tell. I hope you enjoyed reading this article. If you did, please consider giving it a clap. If you would like to read more articles like this from me, please follow me on Medium. What are your thoughts on the geopolitical moves in the Indo-Pacific? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
