Bangladesh, Jan. 25 -- It is assuring to note Southeast Asian nations today are being focused on forging multi- dimensional cooperation among themselves. In the recent years, the Association of South East Asian Nations has signed six free-trade agreements with other regional economies. Regrettably, however, the ASEAN states have paid little attention to building any security architecture specific to the Indo-Pacific.

One thinks the need for such a security architecture is urgent today. The Philippines today would do well to use the ASEAN forum in advancing this idea. As the current Chair of the ASEAN, it can well guide the forum in the matter. Presently, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue mechanism aimed at fostering the freedom of trad...