India Surpasses Japan, Ranks Third in Asia Power Index

September 26, 2024

India has risen to third place in the Asia Power Index, according to the Lowy Institute, reflecting its strong economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. This rise has allowed India to surpass Japan, highlighting its growing role in regional power.

What is the Asia Power Index?

The Asia Power Index measures the influence and power of 27 countries in Asia and the Pacific region. It looks at several factors like military strength, economic resources, diplomatic influence, and cultural impact to determine each country’s overall power. Countries included in this ranking range from Pakistan to the Pacific Islands.

Current Rankings in the Asia Power Index

Here are the top six countries and their scores in the Asia Power Index:

United States – Score: 81.7
China – Score: 72.7
India – Score: 39.1
Japan – Score: 38.9
Australia – Score: 31.9
Russia – Score: 31.1

What Factors Led to India’s Rise?

India’s rise in the Asia Power Index is mainly due to a few key factors:

Economic Growth: India has recovered strongly from the pandemic, which improved its economic capability score by 4.2 points.

Population and GDP: India has a large population and is experiencing strong economic growth. It is ranked third in the world for Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), which measures the value of its economy.

Diplomatic Influence: India has increased its international presence through multilateral dialogues like the Quad, which involves countries like Japan, Australia, and the United States. Even though India doesn’t have formal military alliances, its strategic initiatives have boosted its influence.

While India has made significant progress, there is still room for improvement. The Lowy Institute notes that India has not fully used its resources to maximize its global influence. This means India’s impact on the world stage could grow even more if it better utilized its strengths.

India’s Leadership and Strategic Role

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has raised its international profile. The country follows a non-aligned strategy, meaning it stays neutral in many global conflicts. This allows India to carefully manage complex geopolitical issues while contributing to regional security.

« Previous Post Next Post »