Quad Sqad and South China Sea: There is going to be a storm in South China Sea, which may change the picture of the whole world! A new gameplan is being prepared to stop China’s Dadagiri. Quad you must have heard, but now Squad is going to be… and it can prove to be more dangerous than Quad! What is this Squad? Who will be involved in this? And how is it preparing to mind China?
(Photo of South China C)
South China Si… What does it come to your mind as soon as you hear this name? Sea, fish, trade routes… or the tension that has been increasing for the last several years? This area is not just a sea, but a battleground where there is a trade of more than 3 trillion dollars every year. And this area is at the forefront of taking possession of this area… China! But now the Philippines has played a bet that can bring China to the backfoot. So what is this whole thing? And what is going to be the role of India in this? Let’s try to understand!
First of all, let’s talk about China. What China has done in South China Sea is nothing short of magic. But this magic is not good, but dangerous! It has created artificial islands in the middle of the sea. For example, talk about Mischif Reef, where China made a 2.7 km long runway. And not only runways, air defense systems and missiles were also deployed there. Now the question is, why so? The answer is straightforward – Control! China wants it to be the reign on South China C. He claims to be against international law. In 2016, the UN court also rejected China’s claims, but China did not listen to it. Now he is showing Dadagiri in South China Sea with his 370 Warrships and Submarines, but now the game is about to turn!
What is Squad?
(Photo of South China C)
Now let’s talk about squad. So what is squad? This is an unofficial group, which is yet to be included US, Australia, Japan and the Philippines. Together these four countries have started joint marine activities in South China Sea for the last one year. Meaning, joint exercise, intelligence sharing and operations. But now the Army Chief General of the Philippines, Romeo Broner, has said something big. They want India and South Korea to join this squad. General Broner said during the Raisina dialogue in Delhi, “We should work with India, because we have a common enemy – and that is China!”
Why is India necessary?
Now the question is why India is being called? India’s Navy is a big player in the Indian Ocean Region. Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi has clearly said – ‘Our Navy is a diploy everywhere. We know who is doing in Indian Ocean. China’s Navy may be the largest in the world, but India can compete with the strength of its strategic position and Navy. And the Philippines understands this very well. Therefore, he wants India to be a part of this squad and should be responded to China together.
Quad vs Squad
Now there will be a question in your mind that Quad is already, then what is the need of Squad? See, the group of Quad i.e. US, India, Japan and Australia, it is more diplomatic and strategic. But Squad’s focus is military! This group will work on joint operations, deterrence and intelligence sharing. And if countries like India and South Korea join it, then this group can be more powerful than Quad. Because it will directly challenge China’s Navy. So there is going to be a big game in South China Sea. If India joins Squad, it can become a big problem for China, but the question is whether India will be a part of this group? And if yes, will it really prove to be more dangerous than Quad?