US sends senior team to Pacific islands

Washington, Aug 28 (IANS) US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau will travel to four Pacific island countries next week, officials here said.

Landau will visit Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Solomon Islands and Kiribati from August 31 to September 11, the State Department said on Friday.

The tour comes as the United States seeks to strengthen its diplomatic and security presence across the Pacific amid growing strategic competition with China.

Beijing was not mentioned in the State Department’s announcement.

In Palau, Landau will represent the United States at a meeting between leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum and the organisation’s dialogue partners.

The forum brings together Pacific governments to discuss regional priorities, including maritime security, climate resilience, economic development, fisheries and disaster preparedness.

Landau is expected to hold talks with government officials and business leaders during the four-country tour.

The State Department said the meetings would advance economic and security priorities and underscore Washington’s commitment to the Pacific region.

US Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday will accompany Landau during his stops in Palau, Micronesia and the Solomon Islands.

The department said Lunday’s participation recognised the Coast Guard’s important role in promoting maritime security across the region.

Pacific island countries oversee large Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) despite having relatively small populations and limited maritime enforcement resources. Illegal fishing, trafficking and unauthorised activity by foreign vessels are continuing concerns.

The Coast Guard works with regional governments through training, joint patrols and shiprider agreements. Such arrangements allow local enforcement personnel to travel aboard US vessels and exercise their country’s legal authority within its territorial waters.

Lieutenant-General George Rowell, a deputy commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, will also join the delegation in Palau.

Bill Hague, the Interior Department’s assistant secretary for insular and international affairs, will participate in the Palau portion of the trip.

The presence of senior diplomatic, military, Coast Guard and Interior Department officials reflects the range of Washington’s relationships in the Pacific.

The Interior Department administers programmes connected with the United States’ Compacts of Free Association with Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands.

Under those agreements, the three countries are sovereign states but maintain close economic and security ties with Washington.

The United States provides financial support and access to some federal programmes. In return, Washington receives extensive defence rights and assumes responsibility for the countries’ security.

Palau and Micronesia occupy strategically important locations across the western Pacific. Both have also supported the United States in international forums.

The Solomon Islands and Kiribati do not have compacts with Washington. US engagement with them is conducted through diplomatic, development, commercial and security channels.

Both countries switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019. Their subsequent relations with Beijing have attracted attention in Washington and other Indo-Pacific capitals.

The Solomon Islands signed a security agreement with China in 2022, prompting concern in the United States and Australia about the possibility of a greater Chinese security presence in the South Pacific.

Beijing and Honiara have said their cooperation is intended to support domestic security and development and does not involve establishing a Chinese military base.

The United States reopened its embassy in the Solomon Islands in 2023 after a nearly three-decade absence. Washington has also expanded diplomatic and development engagement with other Pacific island governments.

The Pacific Islands Forum was founded in 1971 and is the region’s principal political organisation. Its members include Australia, New Zealand and Pacific island states and territories.

–IANS

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