Approved in June 2021, the $171 million project is funded by a concessional loan of $74.4 million and a grant of $74.5 million from the Asian Development Fund.
The country had signed a security pact with China in April. The Biden administration is hosting leaders from the Pacific Island Forum bloc as US competes for influence in the South Pacific.
Reuters report details China 'plans' for cooperation with Pacific Island nations in policing, security, and trade, among other areas, ahead of Wang Yi's tour of 8 island nations.
In tactical terms, the shirtless protest was worse than a self-goal. Suddenly, the fiascos of the AI Summit were forgotten, and the Youth Congress’s disruption became the issue.
IAF is fine with accepting the aircraft with 'must-haves', even if some other steps remain pending, which may take at least another year, it is learnt.
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