As the Quad continues to strengthen its influence in the Indo-Pacific, India may consider joining another strategic alliance focused on the South China Sea. This group, known as the 'Squad,' currently consists of Japan, Australia, the US, and the Philippines. Plans are underway to invite India and South Korea to become members. The Philippines and Japan, facing challenges from China's expanding military presence in the region, aim to use this alliance to counter Beijing's influence, according to the Philippines' Armed Forces chief, General Romeo S. Brawner.

Although the Squad remains an informal group, its member states have conducted joint maritime operations in the South China Sea for over a year. At the Raisina Dialogue, a multilateral conference in New Delhi, General Brawner stated, "Together with Japan and our partners, we are trying to expand the squad to include India and probably South Korea."

The General's remark about inviting India to the 'Squad' came at a notable moment, as military leaders from Japan, India, the US Indo-Pacific Command, and Australia were together on stage for a panel discussion on Indo-Pacific security. General Brawner stated that the Philippines is working to strengthen its deterrence capabilities by collaborating with partners in the Squad. He described the Squad as an informal alliance among the four nations focused on military cooperation, intelligence sharing and joint exercises and operations. Talk of potentially inviting India and South Korea comes amid rising tensions between Manila and Beijing, with a series of escalating conflicts in the South China Sea.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea as its own, ignoring international maritime laws. Beijing views the region as an exclusive economic, strategic, and military zone despite a 2016 ruling by an international court that rejected these claims. However, China refuses to recognise the ruling and continues to challenge the rules-based global order. It also dismisses the territorial claims of neighbouring countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam, all of which have coastlines along the disputed waters. The South China Sea remains a crucial trade route, facilitating over $3 trillion annually.

"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 is important that we collaborate together, maybe exchange intelligence," General Brawner shared his thoughts with reporters during an informal conversation at the summit.

According to a report by Reuters, the General mentioned that the Philippines already has a partnership with India's military and defence industry. He added that he planned to invite India to join the 'Squad' during his meeting with India's Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, later in the day. However, after the meeting, a senior Indian defence official told Reuters that it was unclear whether the topic had been discussed.