US announces new group of five countries to counter China in the Indo-

Washington/Beijing: The United States announced a new group of five countries to counter China, which is trying to increase its military influence in the Pacific Islands-nations. The new group is named ‘Partners in the Blue Pacific’ (PBP) and the main objective will be increasing diplomatic and economic partnerships with the island nations in the Indo-Pacific. A few days ago, the Chinese Foreign Minister visited the Island nations and succeeded in signing comprehensive agreements with three countries. The new group is believed to have been formed in retaliation for Chinese actions.

China had announced starting of Common Development Vision program with 10 Island nations from the Pacific sector. China had indicated signing trade and security agreements with these countries. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi even visited these countries to convince them to participate. But no countries except the Solomon Islands, Samoa and Kiribati responded to the Chinese proposal. It is said that the Chinese efforts are continuing.

Against this background, the US announcement of a group of five countries becomes noteworthy. The United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom are members of the PBP. The exclusion of India, a member of QUAD and the Indo-Pacific Initiative, is raising eyebrows.

The statement issued by the PBP mentioned that stress would be on strengthening the regional cooperation while keeping the Pacific Islands Forum as the central entity. This forum is the mainstay of the Pacific-related policies. It will plan and design current and future projects in the region. It will make efforts to make better opportunities available to the governments and people of the Pacific nations. It has been clarified that France and the European Union will be observers in the group. It is said that the main stress of the PBP will be on financial assistance and investments.

Before the formation of the ‘Indo-Pacific Economic Forum’ and PBP, Japan and Australia-New Zealand have announced independent schemes and comprehensive findings for the Pacific Island countries. These actions are believed to be part of comprehensive policies to stop the Chinese activities in the Indo-Pacific region.