Australia and Vanuatu sign pact blocking foreign military bases
7 verified5 unconfirmed
Australia and Vanuatu signed a bilateral security and economic treaty on Monday that bars any foreign military base from being established on the Pacific island nation. The agreement, known as the Nakamal Agreement, was signed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Vanuatu counterpart Jotham Napat in Canberra, nine months after Vanuatu rejected an earlier draft over concerns it could limit infrastructure funding. The pact reinforces Australia’s role as Vanuatu’s primary security and policing partner while Vanuatu continues to pursue a separate economic agreement with China. Both leaders described the deal as a reflection of mutual respect and shared commitment to regional stability. The signing comes amid ongoing competition between China and US allies for influence in the Pacific.
What’s verified
Australia and Vanuatu signed the Nakamal Agreement on June 29, 2026.
The pact prohibits any foreign military base or militarization of critical infrastructure in Vanuatu.
The signing took place in Canberra between Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Jotham Napat.
Vanuatu had rejected an earlier draft of the agreement nine months prior due to concerns over infrastructure funding.
Vanuatu will prioritize policing cooperation with members of the Pacific Islands Forum, which includes Australia.
Vanuatu is also negotiating a separate economic agreement with China, which Napat said would be made public.
China is Vanuatu’s largest external creditor.
Not yet confirmed
Under the agreement, Vanuatu will consult Australia when considering third-party engagement in its critical infrastructure, but Australia does not have veto power (reported by one source).
Vanuatu commits to first seek assistance from Australia, New Zealand, and France in response to major natural disasters (reported by one source).
Australia had initially proposed providing 500 million Australian dollars ($344 million) over a decade, with costs to be disclosed by December (reported by one source).
China has provided Vanuatu’s police force with equipment including drones, patrol boats, and vehicles since 2023 (reported by one source).
China’s navy regularly visits Vanuatu’s ports, and Beijing funded expansion of a wharf in Luganville (reported by one source).
Key figures
Anthony Albanese: Prime Minister of Australia
Jotham Napat: Prime Minister of Vanuatu
Sources: abcnews.com, dw.com
