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India overtakes Japan as Asia's third most powerful nation: Lowy Institute report
India's rise to the third position in the Asia Power Index marks a significant achievement, but the report highlights that its growth has been slower than anticipated.
Australian think tank Lowy Institute. / Facebook/Lowy Institute
India has emerged as the third most powerful nation in Asia, behind only the United States and China, according to the 2024 edition of the Asia Power Index (API) released by the Australian think tank Lowy Institute. India overtook Japan in the rankings, achieving a power score of 39.1 out of 100, reflecting its growing influence in the region.
The report's release comes as China intensifies its military and economic activity in Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region. In response, India has been strengthening partnerships with the United States, Japan, and Australia, particularly under frameworks like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), to counter China's expansionist moves.
India’s gradual ascent: challenges ahead
India's rise to the third position in the Asia Power Index marks a significant achievement, but the report highlights that its growth has been slower than anticipated. India's influence beyond the Malacca Strait remains limited, with the report emphasizing that its global potential is still largely untapped.
Although India has increased its diplomatic presence in the region, its weak economic integration with larger Asian economies continues to hinder its progress. The report attributes this trend to India's limited participation in regional economic agreements and its relatively inward-looking economic policies.
Susannah Paton, the lead author of the report, told Australia's ABC News that India's strong economic growth and active diplomacy have strengthened its position, but the nation's economic relationships with neighboring countries remain underdeveloped.
“The glass-half-full view of India is that it’s growing strongly and its diplomatic influence has increased, but the more downbeat assessment is that they’re still lagging in their economic relationships with the region,” said Paton. “That’s no surprise given India’s reluctance to join regional trade arrangements.”
Despite China's military edge, the United States remains the most powerful nation in Asia, bolstered by its strong alliances and economic strength. The report emphasized that the Biden administration’s efforts to deepen defense networks with key regional partners have been crucial in maintaining US influence.
The report noted, “The United States continues to confound pessimists by demonstrating its staying power in the region, buoyed by its economic capabilities and alliance networks.”
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