Tokyo is using the four-way grouping to champion its local tech companies against behemoths from Europe and China.

The “Squad” may take focus away from the Quad on security issues, given India’s longstanding apprehension about alliances.

India might not perfectly align with its partners in the minilateral group but its Indo-Pacific heft is much greater than that of the Philippines.

With China flexing its muscle in the South China Sea, a revised grouping that includes the Philippines strikes a new balance.

Will small groupings of nations last? Bet on self-interest.

The four-nation grouping suffered a false start but has proved better connected in its new incarnation.

Expanding the rollout of a Quad maritime domain awareness initiative would be a boost to security – for the region, and Australia.

An alternative route to the Strait of Malacca offers China, and others, a safer, faster and more efficient trade route.

As Indo-Pacific defence postures pivot to the maritime, there’s no need to muddy the waters between hard and soft power.

Even illegal fishing is politicised amid growing China-US tensions.