As the Quad continues to solidify its presence across the Indo-Pacific, India may soon be invited to join another key multilateral defence grouping focused on the South China Sea. The alliance in question, known as the ‘Squad,’ currently includes Japan, Australia, the United States, and the Philippines. The group now seeks to expand by inviting India and South Korea to become members.
Amid escalating tensions with China over territorial disputes, the Philippines and Japan aim to counter Beijing’s growing military assertiveness in the region. General Romeo S. Brawner, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, emphasized the strategic necessity of this alliance, noting that it would enhance deterrence against Chinese aggression.
Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, a key multilateral conference in New Delhi, General Brawner said he intended to extend an invitation to India when he met with India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan. However, following their meeting, a senior Indian defence official told Reuters there was no immediate clarity on whether the matter had been discussed in detail.
However, the Squad remains an informal alliance, its members have conducted joint maritime operations in the South China Sea for over a year. “Together with Japan and our partners, we are working to expand the Squad to include India and possibly South Korea,” General Brawner said during a panel discussion alongside top military leaders from Japan, the United States, and Australia.
The Philippines is actively working to strengthen its deterrence capabilities through collaborations within the Squad. The alliance focuses on joint military exercises, intelligence-sharing, and coordinated operations. Brawner stressed the importance of bolstering military partnerships amid rising hostilities between Manila and Beijing.
China unilaterally claims nearly the entire South China Sea, disregarding international maritime law and the sovereignty claims of the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam. Despite a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal rejecting China’s claims, Beijing continues to ignore international law and assert control over the strategic waterway, which facilitates over $3 trillion in annual trade.
“We share common concerns with India because we face a common threat. I am not afraid to say that China is our common adversary. That is why collaboration, including intelligence exchange, is crucial,” General Brawner told reporters on the sidelines of the conference.
India’s potential involvement in the Squad would further reinforce its role as a key player in the Indo-Pacific security landscape, aligning with its broader strategic objectives of ensuring a free, open, and rules-based maritime order.
Team BharatShakti (With inputs from Reuters)
