Why the world is suddenly wooing Papua New Guinea

Ringed by verdant hills, the harbour of Port Moresby has probably not seen such military buzz since World War II, when it was bloodily defended by America and Australia against Japanese forces. The JS Izumo, the largest ship in the Japanese navy, visited the capital of Papua New Guinea (PNG) earlier in July, as did a British naval patrol vessel, HMS Tamar. A French one, La Glorieuse, called earlier in 2023. An American coast guard cutter is due in August.

On land, too, visiting dignitaries are tripping over each other. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew in to host a regional forum in May. Indonesian President Joko Widodo came in July. The most important caller of the year was meant to be American President

Joe Biden, but he cancelled the trip in May

because of trouble back home over the United States’ debt ceiling. Instead, two senior lieutenants have come in close succession. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed a defence cooperation agreement with PNG in May. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin

followed up on July 26-27

. He was scarcely noticed, though. As Mr Austin stepped off his E4-B, a flying military command post, Port Moresby airport was bedecked with French flags and posters welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrived the next day.