India might soon be invited to join a new group of countries focused on the South China Sea, known as the 'Squad.' This group currently includes Japan, Australia, the United States, and the Philippines. The goal of this alliance is to counter China's growing influence and military presence in the region.

The South China Sea is a critical waterway for global trade. Every year, goods worth more than $3 trillion are transported through this sea. However, China says that almost the entire sea belongs to them — even though international laws have ruled against this claim. This causes problems for other countries nearby, like the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam. These countries also have coastlines along the sea and rely on them for fishing, trade, and other activities. China’s control over the area makes it harder for them to use the sea freely, which creates tension in the region.

General Romeo S. Brawner, the chief of the Philippines' Armed Forces, announced this potential invitation at the Raisina Dialogue, a major international conference held in New Delhi. He said, "Together with Japan and our partners, we are trying to expand the squad to include India and probably South Korea."

The 'Squad' may still be an informal group, but its members have already been conducting joint maritime activities for over a year. This includes military exercises, intelligence sharing, and efforts to improve regional security.

Why does the 'Squad' want India to join?

The Philippines and Japan, both facing challenges from China's increasing military presence, are eager to strengthen their position. General Brawner openly said, "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."

By joining the 'Squad,' India could help balance power in the region. India has already been strengthening its ties with countries like the Philippines through military and defense partnerships. According to General Brawner, the Philippines is working to improve its defense capabilities, and partnering with India could help achieve that goal.

Interestingly, General Brawner made these statements while sitting alongside top military officials from Japan, the US, Australia, and India at the conference. This showed a united front among these countries to promote a secure and free Indo-Pacific region.

The South China Sea remains a major flashpoint, with tensions rising between China and the Philippines. China continues to ignore a 2016 ruling by an international court that rejected its territorial claims. Despite this, Beijing treats the area as its own strategic and economic zone, disregarding other countries' rights. The 'Squad' aims to push back against this behavior.

General Brawner also mentioned that he planned to meet India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, to formally discuss the invitation. However, a senior Indian defense official later told Reuters that there was no confirmation yet on whether the topic was discussed during the meeting.

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