Wed Mar 19 16:45:51 UTC 2025: ## Philippines Proposes India Join “Squad” to Counter China in South China Sea

**New Delhi, India** – Amidst rising tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippines has proposed that India join an informal multilateral alliance, dubbed the “Squad,” to counter China’s growing military presence. The proposal was made by Philippine Armed Forces chief General Romeo S. Brawner at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.

The Squad currently comprises the US, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines, and has been conducting joint maritime activities in the South China Sea for over a year. General Brawner stated that the group aims to expand to include India and South Korea, citing a shared concern about China’s assertive claims in the region. He explicitly described China as a “common enemy,” highlighting the need for intelligence sharing and collaboration.

General Brawner’s announcement came during a panel discussion featuring top military officials from India, Japan, the US, and Australia, focusing on Indo-Pacific security. The timing is significant, given the escalating confrontations between the Philippines and China over disputed territories in the South China Sea.

China’s unilateral claim to almost the entirety of the South China Sea, disregarding a 2016 international court ruling, is a major point of contention. This claim affects several nations with coastlines on the sea, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Taiwan. The South China Sea is also a crucial maritime trade route, with annual trade exceeding $3 trillion.

While the Philippines already has existing partnerships with the Indian military and defense industry, it remains unclear whether India will accept the invitation to join the Squad. General Brawner indicated he would formally extend the invitation to India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan. Following a meeting between the two generals, a senior Indian defense official told Reuters that no decision had yet been made regarding the proposal. The informal nature of the Squad, focusing on military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and joint exercises, will likely be a key factor in India’s consideration.

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