Australia has scored a major victory in its Indo-Pacific diplomacy efforts after the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Cabinet, by “an absolute majority,” agreed to ratify a new defence pact.
The signing of the “Pukpuk Treaty” was postponed two weeks ago amid confusion and mixed messages from PNG’s leaders, and will now go ahead despite threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The Pukpuk treaty obliges both countries to “act to meet the common danger” if either comes under attack, effectively elevating PNG’s status to that of an ally on a par with the United States or New Zealand.
Pukpuk will also enable Papua New Guineans to serve in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and require Australia to spend billions to enhance the capabilities of the PNG Defence Force as part of making the two nations’ militaries interoperable….
PNG Cabinet Backs New Defence Pact, Elevating Ties With Australia to Full Ally Status
