India has overtaken both Russia and Japan to establish itself as the third most powerful nation in Asia, following the United States and China. The diminishing influence of Japan is largely linked to its economic downturn, resulting in Tokyo’s drop to fourth place across various metrics that evaluate the strength and impact of Asian countries. The Asia Power Index, an annual assessment initiated by the Lowy Institute in Australia, evaluates resources and influence to determine the comparative power of states within the Asian region. This analytical instrument evaluates 27 nations and territories based on their resources and the effectiveness of their utilization, extending from Pakistan in the west to Russia in the north, and encompassing Australia, New Zealand, and the United States in the Pacific.
The 2024 Asia Power Index underscores the evolving power relations within the region. While the United States maintains its preeminence, it is increasingly confronted by military challenges posed by China. The assessment considers various factors, including ecoñ principal conclusions drawn from the analysis indicate that China’s power is neither experiencing a significant rise nor a decline; rather, it remains steady, positioned below that of the United States yet still surpassing any other competitors in Asia. The United States has enhanced its influence in the region, although it is gradually ceding some military advantages to China.India’s influence in Asia is on the rise, having surpassed Japan to secure the third position in terms of comprehensive power for the first time. Nevertheless, a significant disparity persists between the anticipated trajectory of “India rising” and the current reality.According to the Asia Power Index, New Delhi’s capacity to exert power and influence to the east of the Malacca Strait remains constrained. The report indicates that despite this limitation, India’s influence is still considerably lower than what its resources would suggest, highlighting the substantial potential for further development as a significant power.
