Context:

The Philippines is working to expand its informal group, the Squad, by including India and South Korea to strengthen maritime security in the Indo-Pacific and counter China’s influence in the South China Sea.

About Squad Grouping:

• The Squad is an informal security coalition comprising the United States, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines. Since its formation, the group has been conducting joint maritime operations and exercises within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.
• These activities are aimed at strengthening defense capabilities and enhancing regional stability amid growing tensions in the region due to China’s assertive policies.
• The expansion will enhance the group's deterrence capabilities and provide a more robust response to China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The inclusion of these two nations is seen as vital for fostering closer defense cooperation and securing critical maritime routes.

Why India and South Korea?

• India and South Korea have both shown increasing concern over China’s growing assertiveness, particularly in the South China Sea. India's long-standing tensions with China over border disputes, coupled with the shared maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific, make it a strategic partner for the Squad.
• Furthermore, India’s expanding defense and military ties with the Philippines create a strong foundation for deeper collaboration within the group.
• South Korea, similarly, has growing concerns about China's military presence and territorial ambitions in the region. By joining the Squad, South Korea would gain a strategic platform for strengthening its maritime security while contributing to regional stability.

China's Response

China has voiced its objections to the Philippines’ actions, particularly in the South China Sea. China has consistently asserted territorial claims over nearly all of the South China Sea, disregarding the sovereignty claims of several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

·        The Philippines, however, has resisted these claims, particularly after a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal that invalidated China’s expansive territorial claims.

·        Despite this, Beijing continues to assert control over the area, leading to escalating confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the contested waters.

Implications for Regional Security

The expansion of the Squad to include India and South Korea could significantly shift the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. A stronger alliance between these countries would provide a powerful counterbalance to China's growing influence in the region, particularly in critical maritime routes that are vital for global trade.

By deepening defense cooperation and intelligence-sharing, the expanded Squad could play a crucial role in securing the South China Sea and deterring further Chinese aggression.

Conclusion

 The Philippines’ move to expand the Squad grouping reflects its growing concerns about China's regional assertiveness. With India and South Korea likely to play key roles in countering China's influence, the expanded Squad could become a pivotal force in the Indo-Pacific’s security dynamics. However, it remains to be seen how China will respond and how the member countries will navigate the increasingly complex geopolitical landscape in the region.