NEW DELHI: India has climbed to the third position in the Asia Power Index 2025, buoyed by strong economic growth and enhanced military capability—reflected in its performance during Operation Sindoor, Australia-based think tank Lowy Institute reported on Friday. Only the United States and China rank higher.
In the 2025 edition, India’s overall power score has crossed the 40-point mark, qualifying it as a major power for the first time. The US leads with 80.5 points, followed by China at 73.7, while Japan comes in fourth with 38.8 points. Despite the progress, the Institute noted persistent gaps between India’s ambitions and its actual influence, especially when compared with China.
The Asia Power Index assesses both resources and influence to rank countries’ relative power. In 2024, India was classified as a middle power with a score of 38.1.
India placed third in both economic capability and future resources. It rose one spot in economic capability—overtaking Japan—and climbed to ninth place in economic relationships due to higher levels of inward investment.
According to the Lowy Institute, India has strengthened both its economic and military capabilities in the 2025 assessment. The country’s economy continues to grow at a robust pace, and India has made modest yet notable gains in geopolitical relevance.
