After Australia, New Zealand signs defence pact with Papua New Guinea as China expands in Indo-Pacific – Firstpost

In the latest deal bringing Indo-Pacific nations together amid rising Chinese aggression, New Zealand on Wednesday signed a defence cooperation agreement with Papua New Guinea.

New Zealand Defence Minister Chris Penk and his Papua New Guinea counterpart, Elias Kapavore, signed the Statement of Intent on Defence Cooperation for 2026-2029 in Papua New Guinea, Penk’s office said in a statement.

The office said the agreement would expand defence dialogue, training, military exercises, and personnel exchanges.

“In an increasingly volatile world, Pacific nations like ours are stronger when we work closely together,” said Penk.

The New Zealand-Papua New Guinea agreement comes within two weeks of Australia and Fiji signing a mutual defence agreement requiring the two countries to come to each other’s aid in the event of an attack. New Zealand said at the time that it would consider joining the Australia-Fiji alliance.

As Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific has intensified in the wake of the American withdrawal from the region, countries across the region have been strengthening cooperation on security and defence. While Australia signed a similar agreement with Papua New Guinea last year, it signed a security agreement with Vanuatu earlier this month, making Australia the country’s preferred security and policing partner.

Australia and New Zealand are also members of the Anzus military alliance with the United States and the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing coalition, which also includes the United Kingdom and Canada. But whether these alliances can continue to support the region’s security remains uncertain as US President Donald Trump has not only withdrawn from key theatres but has also sought to undermine institutions managing them, including by pursuing a coercive campaign against Nato in Europe and marginalising the Quad in the Indo-Pacific.

Indo-Pacific nations step up as Trump withdraws

In the wake of Trump’s antagonistic foreign policy, middle powers are converging across the Indo-Pacific.

In addition to Australia and New Zealand building a web of alliances, countries are also stepping up cooperation outside formal alliance structures.

Earlier this month, India and Australia announced a significant enhancement of military cooperation and their security partnership. Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Anthony Albanese pledged to increase military interoperability and information-sharing through expanded aircraft deployments in each other’s territories and closer ties between military personnel, including through exchanges, education and training, and liaison roles.

India has also strengthened ties with other countries in the region, such as Japan and Indonesia.

In addition to expanding defence ties and cooperation with India and Australia, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has raised defence spending, declared that the country would expand its role in regional security, stood up for the status quo in Taiwan, and opened the door to enhanced defence trade.

Australia has previously stated that it is in a state of “permanent contestation” with China and that strengthening preparedness and expanding regional partnerships are essential to securing its interests in the Indo-Pacific.