New Delhi: India has become the third most powerful country in the world. The Asia Power Index 2025 report stated this. Only the US and China are more powerful than India. Any country that scores 40 or more on this index is included in the list of powerful countries. Currently, only three countries are included in this list: the US, China, and India. The US scored 80.4 points, and China 73.7.
The Asia Power Index began compiling such a list in 2018. It is promoted by the Lowy Institute. It maps the distribution of power among major Asian countries and monitors changes in the balance of power over time. It determines the rankings after presenting a detailed assessment of the military, economic, diplomatic, and cultural effectiveness of 27 countries.
The index ranks 27 countries and regions based on their ability to shape their external environment. Its scope extends from Pakistan in the west, Russia in the north, and Australia, New Zealand, and the United States in the Pacific Ocean.
The 2025 edition is the most comprehensive assessment of the changing distribution of power in Asia to date. Based on the results of a survey of diplomacy and foreign policy experts, the index compares the economic status of countries. This is a new indicator.
It evaluates international power in Asia through 131 indicators based on eight thematic measures: military capability, defense networks, economic potential, relations, diplomatic influence, cultural influence, resilience, and future resources. More than half of the data points are from the original Lowy Institute research, while the remaining hundreds are collected from publicly available national and international sources. Let’s take a look at the points highlighted by the index.
Since the Trump administration came to power, the United States has been steadily losing its importance. Its credibility has been dented. However, the true impact of this can only be assessed in the future. The Trump administration’s policies have been overall negative for US power in Asia.
China has benefited the most from the tarnished image of the US. China is well-positioned to counter America’s coercive economic policies. Amid uncertainty about America’s approach to Asia, it is successfully establishing itself as a reliable partner.
India received the highest praise on this list, describing it as a major power. The report stated that India’s power is steadily increasing. However, it also stated that India falls far short of its resource potential, meaning it still has considerable potential.
Russia is on the rise again. Despite the Ukraine war, its influence has increased. This is due to the support of China and North Korea, both of which have openly supported Russia.
As for Japan, its power remains the same. Its power has neither increased nor decreased. However, a leadership change in Tokyo has diminished its standing as a power in the Indo-Pacific region.
Japan’s power in Asia remained stable in 2025, ranking fourth behind the United States, China, and India. It remained slightly below the 40-point threshold set by the index for a major power.
Japan’s foreign policy score also declined in 2025. It lagged behind India and Singapore, reflecting negative expert assessments of its strategic ambitions as well as its regional and global leadership.
Malaysia’s regional influence has increased in Southeast Asia, but other countries, especially Thailand, are embroiled domestically. Australia also faces several challenges. Australia’s economic and military resources have declined compared to other countries. This means it will have to work harder with its resources to maintain its influence in Asia.
The United States tops the overall list with 80.4 points. China received 73.7 out of 100. It ranks second out of 27 countries, representing a 1% increase in its overall score in 2025.
India ranks third out of 27 countries for comprehensive power. Its overall score is 40 out of 100, representing a 2% increase in its overall score. India’s economic (27.1) and military capabilities (48.0) have increased in the 2025 edition of the Asia Power Index. India’s performance can also be gauged by its diplomatic influence (70.82), resilience (55.5), future resources (55), economic relations (19.7), and cultural influence (41.5).
Russia’s diplomatic influence increased slightly in 2025 for the first time since 2021. However, it remains below the level before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Its increased diplomatic influence comes as it has invested more effort in high-level diplomacy with key Asian countries, including China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia, over the past two years.
India’s power in Asia is steadily growing, but it remains far below its resource potential. In 2025, India’s overall power score will exceed 40 points, the threshold set for a “major power” by the Asia Power Index.
India will increase its position slightly over Japan by becoming the third-ranked power in 2024.
