As the Quad alliance continues to solidify its influence in the Indo-Pacific, India could soon become part of another strategic coalition—the ‘Squad’—which focuses on countering China’s expanding military presence in the South China Sea. The group currently comprises the United States, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines, and there are now discussions to invite India and South Korea into its fold.
Philippines Armed Forces Chief General Romeo S. Brawner confirmed the initiative, highlighting the increasing challenges posed by Beijing in the contested waters. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, General Brawner emphasized that the Squad, though still informal, has already been conducting joint maritime activities in the South China Sea for over a year.
“Together with Japan and our partners, we are looking to expand the Squad by including India and possibly South Korea,” General Brawner stated during a panel discussion on Indo-Pacific security. The panel also featured Japan’s military chief, the head of the Indian Navy, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, and Australia’s chief of Joint Operations—underlining the growing coordination among like-minded nations in the region.
This potential expansion comes at a time of rising tensions between Manila and Beijing, with repeated maritime confrontations in one of the world’s most crucial trade routes. The South China Sea facilitates more than $3 trillion in annual trade, making stability in the region a global priority.
For India, joining the Squad would mark another significant step in strengthening its role as a key Indo-Pacific power. It would also complement its existing commitments within the Quad, as well as its strategic interests in maintaining a free and open maritime order. As discussions progress, the Squad could emerge as a crucial force in shaping the security landscape of the Indo-Pacific.