The strategic frontline was on full display in Solomon Islands this week. There was official confirmation that the government of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has signed a security agreement with China that opens the door for basing and, not entirely uncoincidentally, the highest-level US delegation to visit Solomon Islands in decades has just passed through.
In this edition of “Indo-Pacific: Behind the Headlines" we speak with the highly respected Solomon Islands leader, Hon. Peter Kenilorea Jr. about what this has meant for his country, and the Indo-Pacific.
Hon. Kenilorea is the son of the first Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands and was elected to the national parliament of the Solomon Islands in 2019. He is also the President of the Organization of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States Parliamentary Assembly and the Co-President of the ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly.
Q: What are you concerned about looking forward? A: The announcement that the timeline for the opening of the US embassy is going to be escalated is a really important step. Solomon Islanders are very much into feeling, seeing, touching and that sort of thing. Once it's there, it's real. It's important it happens quickly because, now that this [PRC security] agreement is signed, I think there will be a flurry of Chinese activity.
During our panel discussions, [former Prime Minister] Hon. Danny Philips pretty much admitted that the signed security agreement is not far off the draft that has been leaked. That agreement talks about protecting “Chinese interests”. I don't see any Chinese interests currently. The shops in Chinatown are really retail. And I don't really count them as Chinese interests and investment. So I'm thinking that is for the future.
Bu hikaye The Sunday Guardian dergisinin April 24, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Sunday Guardian dergisinin April 24, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
WHEN PHILANTHROPY AND SEVA COME NATURALLY
On a bitterly cold January evening a group of devotees of Saint Jalaram are serving hot nutritious food to the homeless and destitute in the Holborn area of London. University students too can be seen in the queues. Saint Jalaram was born in 1799 in Gujarat.
BMW Motorrad India to raise prices by up to 2.5%
BMW Motorrad India will increase prices by up to 2.5% across the model range. The new prices will be effective from 01 January 2025 onwards.
Volvo Group partners with Indian universities to shape future automotive talent
Volvo signs MoU with Amrita University and Thapar Institute to build a stronger industry-academia engagement and enhance the engineering industry readiness.
NO GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO DETERMINE PRICE OF VEHICLES TO BE SCRAPPED
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari said that there will be no government intervention for determining the fair price for a vehicle to be scrapped.
GADKARI VOWS TO MAKE AUTO INDUSTRY NO. 1
The Indian automobile industry ranks third globally, behind China and the United States, but the government aims to elevate it to the top position within the next five years, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari stated.
Maruti to ramp up exports by over two-fold to 8 lakh units by 2030-31
Maruti Suzuki India is aiming to export about 8 lakh vehicles annually by the fiscal year 2030-31, from its current exports of around 3 lakh units.
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT SUMMONS POLICE COMMISSIONER ON CONTEMPT PETITION
The Allahabad High Court has recently summoned Prayagraj Police Commissioner Tarun Gauba and other officials to appear on December 10 regarding a contempt petition.
GULFISHA, KHALID SEEK BAIL ON GROUNDS OF PARITY
Several individuals accused in the larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi Riots, including Gulfisha Fatima, Abdul Khalid Saifi, and Shifa Ur Rehman, have approached the Delhi High Court on Tuesday seeking bail.
Delhi HC directs CBI to appoint senior officer for RAU Study Circle case
The Delhi High Court has recently directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to appoint a senior officer to regularly monitor the investigation into the RAU's IAS Study Circle case.
Delhi HC directs govt to submit report on AHF injection stocks
The Delhi High Court has recently instructed both the Centre and the Delhi government to submit reports on the current stock of Antihemophilic Factor injections, which are essential for treating haemophilia, a rare genetic disorder.
