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India has secured the third position in the Asia Power Index 2025 while the United States and China occupy the first and second spots respectively, according to an NDTV report, citing new findings released by the Australia-based Lowy Institute.
In the annual Asia Power Index, which measures how effectively countries, especially those in the Asian region, shape their external environment, India ranks well ahead of its peers but remains significantly behind China.
The institute’s latest report highlights India’s strong upward trajectory, noting that the country now surpasses the threshold for “major power” status as defined by the index.
Despite improvements by both India and China across several indicators, the report highlights a significant power gap between the two Asian giants.
China, ranked second out of 27 countries and territories, achieved an overall score of 73.7 out of 100 — marking a one-percentage-point gain in 2025. India, meanwhile, ranked third with a comprehensive power score of 40 out of 100, reflecting a two-percentage-point improvement.
The report attributes India’s rising influence to its robust post-pandemic economic recovery and expanding geopolitical footprint.
The 2025 edition of the index — its seventh — measures power across 131 indicators and eight thematic categories, including Military Capability, Economic Relationships, Diplomatic Influence, Cultural Impact, Resilience, and Future Resources.
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View All“India’s economic and military capability have both increased in the 2025 edition of the Asia Power Index. Its economy has continued to grow strongly and made small gains in terms of its geopolitical relevance — defined in terms of international leverage, connectivity, and technology. India’s military capability has also improved steadily,” Lowly institute said in its report.
Power trends
Meanwhile, in a notable shift, Russia recorded an increase in its overall power in the region for the first time since 2019.
The United States remains the undisputed leader in the index, topping the list with a score of 81.7.
US is included in the Asia Power Index because it is a major strategic actor in the Indo-Pacific region and has significant political, military, and economic influence across Asia.
Among other Asian nations, Russia’s power is rebounding, buoyed by strengthened defence and economic ties with North Korea and China. J
apan’s influence remains stable despite declines across several indicators, while Southeast Asian countries show modest gains in their overall power in 2025.
Australia, however, faces long-term challenges in sustaining its relative influence, even as China continues to gain ground on the United States, narrowing the gap by a few points.
With inputs from agencies