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/

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of DKI APCSS, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) of the linked websites, or the information, products, or services contained therein. DoD does not exercise any editorial, security, or other control over the information you may find at these sites.