AAP: By Tess Ikonomou
Australia can now count on Fiji as an ally as Anthony Albanese declares a diplomatic triumph in sealing two new major agreements with Suva.
Australia and Fiji have sealed a new defence alliance, marking a major diplomatic win for Anthony Albanese against China for influence in the Pacific.
The prime minister inked Fiji as Australia’s fourth regional ally in a signing ceremony with counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka at State House in Suva on Monday.
The Ocean of Peace alliance and Vuvale Union agreement join the list of deals finalised by the Albanese government with Pacific nations.
Australia has mutual defence pacts with the US, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, called the PukPuk treaty, coming into effect on Wednesday.
Ahead of the alliance’s unveiling, the prime minister drank kava out of a shell during a traditional ceremony, finishing it in one go.
Mr Albanese thanked Mr Rabuka for the warm welcome and for honouring Australia.
“Our countries share such strong cultural and people to people links demonstrated here today with representatives joining me from the Yolngu Nation in Northern Australia,” he said.
“Our partnership is strong, from my Vuvale (family) to yours, Vinaka (thank you).”
Mr Albanese arrived in Fiji on Sunday evening.
The visit to the Pacific comes ahead of Mr Albanese’s meeting with his PNG counterpart James Marape, the same day the PukPuk comes into effect.
In an attempt to bolster Australia’s key relationships in the region, Mr Albanese will also host the leaders of PNG and Tonga in Brisbane at the final State of Origin game on Wednesday.
Following his visit to Fiji, Mr Albanese will head to the Solomon Islands to meet with his counterpart Matthew Wale after the two nations agreed to further discussions on a security deal.
While visiting Honiara on Tuesday, Mr Albanese will participate in the Solomon Islands’ 48th Independence Day celebrations.
The trip follows the sealing of a long-awaited $500 million deal with Vanuatu, called the Nakamal Agreement.
Under the agreement, Port Vila agreed to close the door on foreign military bases in its territory.
The pacts form a key part of an attempt to stave off Chinese influence in the Pacific.
Later in the week, Mr Albanese will travel to Melbourne to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mr Modi will appear at a major community event at Marvel Stadium on Thursday, with tens of thousands of members of the Indian diaspora expected to attend.