India has officially surpassed Japan to become the third most powerful nation in Asia, according to the prestigious Asia Power Index 2024. This significant shift in regional power dynamics underscores India’s burgeoning influence and its growing role on the global stage.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India has attributed this rise to the country’s “increasing geopolitical stature, dynamic growth, youthful population, and expanding economy.” The ministry further emphasizes that the Asia Power Index 2024 recognizes India as a “power to reckon with in Asia” and highlights the nation’s “immense potential for future growth.”
The report points to India’s continued economic growth and burgeoning workforce as key drivers of its rising influence. The report also highlights India’s growing diplomatic clout and its strategic autonomy, positioning it as a crucial player in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Asia Power Index, launched by the Lowy Institute in 2018, provides an annual assessment of power dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region. It evaluates 27 countries across the region, analyzing their ability to shape and respond to external pressures. The 2024 edition, one of the most comprehensive assessments of power distribution to date, includes Timor-Leste for the first time, reflecting its growing importance in Southeast Asia.
The Index examines both material capabilities and the influence that countries exert on the international stage. A country’s overall power score is calculated based on a weighted average of resource and influence-based factors, categorized into eight measures encompassing 131 individual indicators. The results offer valuable insights into how countries leverage their resources to project their influence within the Asia-Pacific region.
