Even when Quad continuously strengthened its hold in the Indo-Pacific region, India may soon consider being part of another major multilateral alliance which focuses on the South China Sea. The question in the question is the group ‘squad’ – whose members currently include Japan, Australia, America and the Philippines. The group is now planning to invite India and South Korea to join it.
The Philippines and Japan, which are facing challenges with China’s growing military appearance in the South China Sea, aims to combat Beijing and stop it, General Romeo S. The head of the Armed Forces of Bravanner, the Philippines said.
Although Squad is still an informal group, member states have conducted joint maritime activities in the South China Sea for more than a year. “With Japan and our partners we are trying to expand the team to include India and perhaps South Korea,” General Bravanner said in a multilateral conference – Raisina Samvad in New Delhi.
Interestingly, General’s remarks on inviting India to ‘Squad’, Japan came as their equivalent, head of the Indian Navy, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, and Australia’s Joint Operations Major Indo-Pacific to a panel discussion on security in Indo-Pacific.
General Broner said the Philippines was trying to enhance its prevention capabilities, including working with the participants in the squad, stating that there was an informal support between four countries on military aspects, intelligence information and joint practice and operation.
A possible invitation to India and South Korea is mentioned when Manila and Beijing are facing a range of growing enmity and a series of conflicts in the South China Sea.
China unilaterally claims almost all of the South China Sea as its territory, completely disregarding the international maritime law. Beijing considers the entire sea as its special economic, strategic and military sector – something that has been shot in 2016 by the International and United Nations Court.
China has rejected the International Court of Court’s decision and disregarded it, opposing a rule-based global order. Beijing also disregards the claims of sovereignty by the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam – all of which have beaches with the South China Sea – similar to China.
The South China Sea is one of the most important maritime trade routes, which looks at the annual trade flow of more than $ 3 trillion.
“We find equality with India because we have a common enemy. And I am not afraid to say that China is our normal enemy. Therefore, it is important that we cooperate together, probably exchange intelligence information,” General Broner told reporters on the occasion of the summit.
According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the General said that the Philippines had already partnered with the Indian military and defense industry.
He said that he would expand a proposal to join India’s ‘squad’ when he would meet India’s Defense Staff or CDS General Anil Chauhan later later during the day. After the meeting, a senior Indian defense personnel told Reuters of the news agency that if the matter was actually discussed, there was no clarity yet.
