Biden cancels visit – The National

**One of US aircraft at Jackson Airport.**

UNITED States President Joe Biden has cancelled his visit to Papua New Guinea, although security arrangements by local authorities for other leaders, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Biden was scheduled to arrive in Port Moresby on Monday afternoon. He was expected to sign a few important agreements during his three-hour visit before leaving for Sydney, Australia, to attend the Quad leaders meeting.
But the White House, in a statement on Tuesday, said Biden had to cancel the visit to focus on debt limit talks in Washington.
He made it clear that members of Congress from both the Republican and Democratic parties must come together to prevent “a default”.
The US embassy in Port Moresby will confirm which senior US official who will come to PNG to sign the key agreements.
Meanwhile, Internal Security Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr said security planning and preparations would continue despite the cancellation of Biden’s visit. “We will continue to maintain security as the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is still on schedule,” he said.
He clarified that the closure of the country’s airspace would only be implemented if President Biden came.
Assistant Police Commissioner Anthony Wagambie Jnr for National Capital District and Central would be heading the operational side of the security exercise. “Members of the Defence Force, Correctional Services and Fire Services will be involved as well,” he said.
Tsiamalili said they would ensure that security was provided for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Pacific Island Forum leaders to attend the India-Pacific Islands Cooperation summit on Monday.
The White House statement said “revitalising and reinvigorating our alliances and advancing partnerships like the Quad remains a key priority for the President”. This is vital to our ability to advance our foreign policy goals and better promote global stability and prosperity. We look forward to finding other ways to engage with Australia, the Quad, PNG and the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum in the coming year.”