Context: Bearing the brunt of China’s aggressive expansionist tactics in the South China Sea, the Philippines now  wants India to join the relatively new `Squad’ strategic alliance.

Background:

• Pointing to China’s “illegal, coercive and disruptive Grey Zone” tactics to claim territory and build militarised artificial  islands in the South China Sea region, Philippines chief of staff of armed forces said countries like India and South Korea should also be included in the squad.

Key points

• The “Squad Alliance” is an informal grouping that focuses on security in the South China Sea, aiming to counter China’s growing influence and aggressive activities in the region. 
• The current members include the Philippines, Japan, Australia, and the United States. The alliance emphasizes military collaboration, intelligence sharing, and joint maritime exercises within the South China Sea.
• The ‘Squad’ was conceptualized during the Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2023, with defense chiefs from the member countries convening to discuss collaborative security measures.
• The primary objectives of the ‘Squad’ include:
  • Maritime Security: Conducting joint maritime patrols and exercises to ensure freedom of navigation and adherence to international maritime laws. 
  • Intelligence Sharing: Enhancing information exchange among member nations to improve situational awareness and coordinated responses to regional threats.
  • Capacity Building: Strengthening defense capabilities through collaborative training and resource sharing.
• Notably, in April 2024, the ‘Squad’ nations conducted cooperative maritime patrols within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, marking a significant development amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.
• Recognizing the evolving security dynamics, the Philippines has advocated for the inclusion of India and South Korea into the ‘Squad’ alliance.

Distinction from the ‘Quad’

• While the ‘Quad’ (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) comprises the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, focusing on broader strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, the ‘Squad’ is more narrowly centered on traditional security and defense collaboration, particularly addressing maritime security challenges in the Western Pacific.

Source: Times of India