According to the most recent Asia Power Report from Australia’s Lowy Institute, India has made great progress, surpassing Japan to become Asia’s third most powerful country. This comprehensive ranking assesses country strength through economic links, military capability, cultural impact, and political resilience.
In 2024, India scored 39.1, up 2.7 points from 2023. The United States remains the most powerful country in the area, with a score of 81.7, followed by China (72.7). India’s ascent has pushed it ahead of other powers such as Australia, Russia, South Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Meanwhile, Pakistan is ranked 16th, following the Philippines and North Korea.
India’s resurgence in the rankings is attributed to several factors, particularly its impressive economic growth. With an 8.2% growth rate in 2023-24, India leads major economies, which significantly boosted its economic capability score by 4.2 points. Furthermore, India’s youthful population positions it favorably for future resources, reflected in an 8.2-point increase in that category.
The report also highlights India’s growing diplomatic influence. Experts noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s enhanced global leadership and strategic ambition, as evidenced by India’s active participation in international dialogues and its successful hosting of the G20 Summit in 2023. The country also saw a notable improvement in its national resilience score, encompassing internal stability, economic strength, and geopolitical security.
However, the report points out a critical challenge: India suffers from a negative power gap, which refers to the disparity between a country’s available resources and its real-world influence. This gap increased from -2.8 to -3.9 points over the past year. A key issue is India’s relatively weak economic integration with other Asian nations, highlighted by its decision not to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which has hindered its economic ties with regional powers.
Additionally, while India has ramped up its defense diplomacy, it lacks the deep defense alliances that characterize the relationships of other major Asian powers, particularly those aligned with the United States. This absence of strong defense partnerships may limit India’s ability to influence security dynamics in the region.
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Source: India Today
