A Security Nexus perspective, “Cartographers of Quiet Power,” by Shyam Tekwani, professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, explores how India, Vietnam, and the Philippines are quietly redefining regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific—not through formal alliances but through pragmatic, flexible partnerships shaped by the realities of a multipolar world.

The paper argues that these three states are engaging in a form of “minilateralism”—strategic convergence without binding treaties—designed to preserve autonomy, complicate coercion, and reinforce regional stability. From India’s growing naval footprint and missile exports to Vietnam’s sovereignty-conscious diplomacy and the Philippines’ push for diversified partnerships, each country is mapping a unique path to resilience.

Tekwani notes that while these relationships fall outside traditional alliance structures, they align with broader U.S. efforts to enhance deterrence and distributed security across the Indo-Pacific. The India–Vietnam–Philippines triangle reflects a shift toward multilateral frameworks grounded in shared interests and strategic caution, offering a credible, self-reliant alternative to rigid blocs in an increasingly contested region.

Nexus Perspective: https://dkiapcss.edu/nexus_articles/cartographers-of-quiet-power/

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