Last Updated:
The ‘Squad’ comprises the Philippines and India’s Quad partners – Japan, Australia and the US – which focus on security in the South China Sea to counter Beijing’s aggression in the region.
Philippines’ Armed Forces Chief General Romeo Brawner said India could be part of the alliance in the South China Sea amid tensions with Beijing. (Reuters)
India is already part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) comprising the United States, Australia and Japan to oversee maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. Now, it is likely to become part of another multilateral alliance, known as the ‘Squad’ group, that focuses on security in the South China Sea.
The ‘Squad’ comprises the Philippines and India’s Quad partners – Japan, Australia and the US – and they are trying to expand the military alliance by including India and South Korea amid growing tensions with China’s increasing aggression in the South China Sea.
At the Raisina Dialogue 2025 in Delhi, Philippines’ Armed Forces Chief General Romeo Brawner said his country was making efforts to enhance its capabilities to deter China’s expansionist activities by working with partners in the Squad, according to The Philippine Star.
“Together with Japan and our partners we are trying to expand the ‘Squad’ to include India and probably South Korea,” he said during a panel discussion with his Japanese counterpart, the chief of the Indian Navy, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command and Australia’s chief of Joint Operations.
What Is The ‘Squad’?
Brawner described the Squad group as an informal collaboration between the four countries on military aspects, intelligence sharing, and joint exercises and operations. Their defence forces have been conducting joint maritime activities in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea since last year.
The Philippines openly described the ‘Squad’ as a counter to China’s aggressive activities on the South China Sea. Both Japan and the Philippines have experienced tensions with China over territorial claims in the region, particularly Manila as it has had a series of escalating confrontations in disputed waters.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, a vital waterway for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, putting it at odds with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. A 2016 arbitration ruling invalidated China’s expansive claim but Beijing does not recognise the decision.
Why India’s Role Is Important?
“We find commonality with India because we have a common enemy. And I’m not afraid to say that China is our common enemy. So, it’s important that we collaborate together, maybe exchange intelligence,” Brawner told reporters after the Raisina Dialogue, saying that his country already has a partnership with the Indian military.
The Philippines Chief of Army also said he would open up the potential for India’s Squad membership in a meeting with India’s Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan. A senior Indian defence officer told Reuters said the meeting had happened but it is unclear if this issue was discussed.
The Philippines has had a series of escalating confrontations with China over disputed waters in the South China Sea. Manila has accused Chinese coast guard ships and fishing vessels of switching off their location-transmitting devices to avoid detection and surveillance.
Meanwhile, Brawner also said the Philippines is looking at the possibility of procuring more missile systems from India. ” We already have the BrahMos system and we are waiting for the delivery of more components. So far we are very happy and this is creating a very good deterrent effect in the South China scene,” he told news agency PTI.
By
