India May Join ‘Squad’: A New Strategic Alliance in the South China Sea
New Delhi – As India continues to strengthen its presence in the Indo-Pacific through the Quad alliance, it may soon be invited to join another key military grouping focused on the South China Sea. This emerging alliance, informally known as the ‘Squad,’ currently includes Japan, Australia, the United States, and the Philippines. Talks are now underway to expand its membership to include India and South Korea.
The Squad aims to counter China’s increasing military presence in the South China Sea, which has been a growing concern for nations in the region. General Romeo S. Brawner, Chief of the Philippines’ Armed Forces, revealed at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi that discussions were ongoing to include India in the alliance. His remarks came during a panel discussion that featured top military officials from Japan, Australia, and the United States, as well as India’s Chief of Naval Staff.
Although still an informal grouping, the Squad has been conducting joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea for over a year, focusing on intelligence sharing, joint operations, and military cooperation. The growing tensions between Manila and Beijing, along with China’s territorial claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, have pushed affected nations to seek stronger partnerships.
The South China Sea remains one of the world’s busiest trade routes, with an annual trade flow of over $3 trillion. Despite a 2016 international court ruling rejecting China’s sweeping claims, Beijing continues to disregard the sovereignty of neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the conference, General Brawner said, “We find common ground with India because we face a common challenge. I won’t hesitate to say that China is our shared concern. Collaborating, sharing intelligence, and strengthening our ties is crucial.”
He further stated that the Philippines already has an existing defense partnership with India and intends to formally extend an invitation for India to join the Squad when he meets India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan. However, after the meeting, a senior Indian defense official told Reuters that there was no confirmation yet on whether the matter was discussed.
As India considers its role in this evolving strategic landscape, its decision to join the Squad could mark a significant step in shaping the future security dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
