India 3rd most powerful country in Asia: Asia Power Index 2024
Index
5 min read
According to the Asian Power Index Report 2024, released recently by the Australian think tank Lowy Institute, India is ranked third most powerful country in Asia after the United States of America and China. Last year, India was ranked the fourth most powerful country in Asia in the 2023 report, but this year, India overtook Japan to be ranked third.
About the Asia Power Index Report 2024
The Lowy Institute released the first annual Asia Power Index in 2018 to rank the countries in Asia based on their resources and influences.
The 2024 Asia Power Index Report ranks 27 countries and territories. For the first time, the Southeast Asian country of Timor Leste has been included in the Report.
The report evaluates the power of the countries on 131 indicators across eight thematic measures: Military Capability and Defence Networks, Economic Capability and Relationships, Diplomatic and Cultural Influence, as well as Resilience and Future Resources.
Main Highlights of the Asia Power Index 2024
The report highlights the changing dynamics of power in the Asian region. The United States of America and China were the only two countries deemed superpowers in Asia, while India was ranked as a middle power.
Resilient US
According to the report, the United States has consolidated its position as the most dominant power in the region. However, China is fast catching up with the US in terms of military capability, though the US is still militarily more powerful than China.
China’s plateauing power: China’s power is plateauing. It is neither increasing nor declining. It is second behind the US in Asia but is far ahead of other countries in the region.
Slow Rise of India
The report mentions that India’s power is rising but slowly. Its actual influence in the region is well below its potential. The report finds that India’s ability to project power east of the Malacca Strait is limited. However, the report also says that India has the potential to become a major power as it is blessed with a huge young population, landmass and economy. India is the largest economy in the world on the basis of Purchasing Power Parity.
Decline of Russia
Russian power and influence in the Asian region have declined due to its resources and focus being diverted to its war in Ukraine.
Emergence of Japan as a Military Power
Japan, facing an aggressive China in its backyard, has stepped up its defence spending to counter China. It is changing from an economic and cultural powerhouse to much more active in defence and security.
Top 10 Most Powerful Country in Asia
According to the Asia Power Index Report 2024, the following are the top ten most powerful countries in Asia.
|
Rank |
Country |
Score |
Change in Rank as compared to 2023 |
|
1 |
United States |
81.7 |
No Change |
|
2 |
China |
72.7 |
No Change |
|
3 |
India |
39.1 |
Increase of one rank |
|
4 |
Japan |
38.9 |
Decline of one rank |
|
5 |
Australia |
31.9 |
Increase of one rank |
|
6 |
Russia |
31.1 |
Decline of one rank |
|
7 |
South Korea |
31.0 |
No Change |
|
8 |
Singapore |
26.4 |
No Change |
|
9 |
Indonesia |
22.3 |
No Change |
|
10 |
Thailand |
19.8 |
No Change |
