International Relations. Papua New Guinea press review

The citizens of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and India returned to Port Moresby. PNG High Commissioner in New Delhi, His Excellency Paulus Korni conveyed his heartfelt thanks to Stradbroke Group for the generous assistance and repatriation. Earlier Stradbroke Group also funded the repatriation of 11 PNG students to the Motherland and the donation of 20,000 PPEs to the country’s government. On the flight was a group of the citizens of India working in Port Moresby, Mt Hagen, Madang and Simbu. [1]

However, PNG Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has invited companies from India to do business in PNG to manufacture and export products back to India or the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. He recently met High Commissioner of India to PNG Sushil Kumar Singhal to discuss issues of mutual interest. Mr. Marape said that bilateral trade between PNG and India had been steadily increasing with a trade surplus in PNG’s favour standing at PGK521.67 million. Papua New Guinea is looking at India as a potential export destination for raw materials such as fish and timber, as well as manufactured products. [2]

Australia’s development assistance to Bougainville for years 2020 to 2021 stands at K119 million. The funding is being delivered through specific initiatives supporting the ABG’s response to COVID-19, the Bougainville elections and targeted governance, economic development and peacebuilding to a total PGK49 million. Apart from that, Australians have supported the national sector programs in health, education, transport infrastructure, law and justice and gender with PGK70 million. Australian assistance to ARB aims to help the PNG government and the ABG strengthen governance, and bolster peace and stability, to build a more prosperous Bougainville. [3-4]

THE setting up of an Indonesian border post at Torasi River is a serious infringement on Papua New Guinea’s sovereignty and an act of aggression against it, says PNG Defence Force (PNG) Commander Major-General Gilbert Toropo. According to Mr. Toropo, he was aware of the illegal maritime base at the Torasi River and the issue was first raised in 2012. [5]

Mr. Toropo did not specify how they are going to deal with the situation, but did indicate that there is an agreement between both governments about the use of facilities on the PNG side of the border that the Indonesian forces had moved in to occupy this week. In turn, the Indonesian government said yesterday it would respond to the issue later. [6]

The Torasi River mouth and New Guinea’s southern coast is an important area for fishing, and Mr. Toropo admitted that the PNGDF was always generally concerned that the interests of PNG fishing communities could be impeded.
According to PNGDF, they are working with, both sides to do a combined joint border survey to ensure the border marks are clearly defined, so there is no confusion. [7] [1] https://postcourier.com.pg/indian-citizens-return-to-live-and-work-in-png/
[2] https://www.thenational.com.pg/pm-invites-indian-firms-to-trade/
[3] https://postcourier.com.pg/australia-continues-its-support/
[4] https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/papua-new-guinea/Pages/australian-assistance-to-bougainville
[5] https://www.thenational.com.pg/toropo-responds-to-border-issue/
[6] https://postcourier.com.pg/border-incursion/
[7] https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/427848/torasi-river-a-nagging-border-issue-for-png-and-indonesia
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