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India Become Asia's 3rd Most Powerful Nation Surpassed Japan

The Asia Power Index 2024, published by the Lowy Institute, ranks 27 Asian countries and territories based on 131 indicators across eight thematic measures. India ranks third most powerful in Asia, overtaking Japan.

Overview of the Asia Power Index 2024

  • Asia Power Index (API) 2024 published annually by the Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank
  • Ranks 27 countries and territories in Asia
  • Evaluates power based on 131 indicators across eight thematic measures:
    • Military Capability and Defence Networks
    • Economic Capability and Relationships
    • Diplomatic and Cultural Influence
    • Resilience and Future Resources
  • First introduced in 2018
  • Timor Leste included for the first time in the 2024 report
  • United States and China deemed the only superpowers in Asia
  • India classified as a middle power

India's Position and Progress

  • India ranked third most powerful country in Asia, overtaking Japan
  • Improvement from fourth place in the 2023 report

Driving factors for India's rise:

    • Strong post-pandemic economic recovery
    • Economic Capability score increased by 4.2 points
    • Third-largest economy globally in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP)
    • Demographic advantage with a young population
    • Future Resources score increased by 8.2 points
    • Consistent GDP growth

Diplomatic strengths:

    • Ranked sixth in diplomatic dialogues in 2023
    • Strategic autonomy and non-aligned approach
    • Active participation in multilateral forums
    • Expanding role in the Indo-Pacific region

Challenges:

    • Actual influence below potential
    • Limited ability to project power east of the Malacca Strait
    • Income disparities and infrastructure needs
    • Geopolitical tensions

Ranking of Most Powerful Countries in Asia

Asia Power Index Report 2024, top 10 Asian countries rank:

Ranking

Country 

Score 

1

United States 

81.7 

2

China 

72.7 

3

India 

39.1 

4

Japan

38.9

5

Australia 

31.9

6

Russia

31.1

7

South Korea 

31

8

Singapore

26.4

9

Indonesia 

22.3

10

Thailand 

19.8

Regional Power Dynamics

United States:

    • Consolidated position as the most dominant power
    • Militarily more powerful than China

China:

    • Power plateauing, neither increasing nor declining
    • Second behind the US but far ahead of other countries
    • Catching up with the US in military capability

Japan:

    • Declined in rankings, overtaken by India
    • Shifting from economic and cultural powerhouse to more active in defense and security
    • Challenges include slow population growth and stagnant economic performance

Russia:

    • Declining power and influence in Asia
    • Resources and focus diverted to the war in Ukraine

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