A Deep Dive into the Lowy Institute Asia Power Index 2025
India Rises: Securing ‘Major Power’ Status in the Asia Power Index 2025
India has made a monumental leap on the global stage, solidifying its position as a major power for the first time in the prestigious Lowy Institute Asia Power Index 2025. This remarkable India climb to 3rd rank signals a significant shift in geopolitical relevance and underscores the nation’s burgeoning influence across the Indo-Pacific region. Surpassing the critical 40-point threshold, India now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with global giants, leaving behind its previous classification among “middle powers.”
Unpacking India’s Ascent: The Lowy Institute Asia Power Index
The Lowy Institute Asia Power Index is an annual assessment that meticulously measures the resources and influence of 27 countries and territories in Asia. Employing a comprehensive methodology across eight thematic measures—including Economic Capability, Military Capability, Resilience, Future Resources, Economic Relationships, Defence Networks, Diplomatic Influence, and Cultural Influence—the Index provides an invaluable snapshot of regional power dynamics.
In the highly anticipated 2025 edition, India achieved an overall power score of 40.0 out of 100, a notable improvement from its 2024 score of 38.1. This 2% gain was enough to propel India into the exclusive “major power” category. India now proudly stands behind only the United States (ranked 1st) with 80.5 points and China (ranked 2nd) with 73.7 points, firmly placing it ahead of influential nations like Japan (38.8 points) and Russia (32.1 points). This achievement marks a clear progression from its 2024 categorization as a “middle power,” highlighting the rapid pace of its strategic growth and impact.
Economic Prowess: Fueling the Rise
A significant contributor to India’s enhanced standing is its robust economic performance. India’s economic capability rank has impressively climbed to third place, successfully overtaking Japan. This surge is largely attributed to increased inward investment, a testament to the nation’s growing attractiveness as a global economic hub. This influx of capital has also led to a significant improvement in India’s economic relationships ranking, marking its first upward trend in this measure since the Index’s inception in 2018. The sustained growth and strategic economic policies have clearly paid dividends, establishing India as an undeniable force in the global economy.
Bolstering Defence: Military Might and Operation Sindoor
Beyond its economic strides, India’s growing military capabilities played a crucial role in securing its major power status. Expert appraisals of India’s military strength saw a marked improvement, significantly influenced by the successful execution of Operation Sindoor in May 2025 edition. This strategic military campaign, launched in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, demonstrated India’s decisive counter-terror capabilities and its resolve to act firmly.
Operation Sindoor involved precision missile and air strikes against Pakistan-based militant groups’ infrastructure, utilizing advanced weaponry such as M982 Excalibur rounds and Indo-Israeli SkyStriker loitering munitions. Indian President Droupadi Murmu hailed it as a “defining moment” in India’s deterrence strategy, while Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi cited it as an example of synergy within the Indian armed forces. This bold operation not only bolstered India’s military perception but was also recognized by the Lowy Institute as a key factor contributing to its geopolitical relevance and recognition as a “major power” in Asia. Only the United States, China, and Russia now rank higher in overall military capabilities among Asian actors, underscoring India’s formidable defence posture.
A Deeper Dive into India’s Performance Metrics
While economic and military might were primary drivers, India’s performance across various other measures in the Asia Power Index paints a comprehensive picture:
- Future Resources: India consistently ranks 3rd in this crucial category, indicating its strong demographic dividend and potential for sustained growth.
- Cultural Influence: This measure saw India’s greatest gains, increasing by 2.8 points, reflecting its soft power projection and global appeal.
- Diplomatic Influence: India’s active diplomacy also contributed to a slight improvement in this area.
- Defence Networks: Despite overall military gains, this remains India’s weakest measure, ranking 11th and experiencing a drop from the previous edition. This highlights an area for future strategic focus.
- Resilience and Future Resources: India showed a slight downward trend in these two measures, indicating challenges that require attention.
- Power Gap: India continues to exhibit a negative Power Gap score, which slightly expanded. This suggests that despite its considerable resources, India currently exerts less influence in the region than its potential might suggest, presenting an opportunity for further strategic leverage.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
India’s journey to this elevated status has been a steady climb. Since the Lowy Institute Asia Power Index was first launched in 2018, India has consistently been among the top contenders, solidifying its position as a significant regional player. While the 2025 edition marks the first time it has crossed the “major power” threshold, India has consistently ranked 3rd or 4th in previous years (e.g., 4th in 2019 and 2021, and 3rd in 2023 and 2024). This consistent upward trajectory underscores India’s enduring strategic importance and its growing capacity to shape regional and global dynamics.
A New Era for India
The India climb to 3rd rank in the Asia Power Index 2025 is more than just a statistical achievement; it’s a declaration of India’s emergence as a formidable major power. Fueled by its robust economic performance, expanding military capabilities—exemplified by Operation Sindoor—and increased geopolitical relevance, India is now an indispensable force in shaping the future of Asia and beyond. This new status brings both opportunities and responsibilities, as the nation is poised to play an even more pivotal role in global affairs. As India continues its trajectory, its influence will undoubtedly resonate across continents, solidifying its position among the world’s leading nations.
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