India is Asia’s third-most powerful nation in 2025, crosses historic threshold

Asia Power Index 2025 sees India emerge as a major power at 3rd rank among 27 nations

November 28, 2025

Asia’s power rankings update: US #1, China #2, India #3 — major power unlocked

Asia Power Index 2025 rankings: India stands 3rd, widens dominance over Asian peers

India secured third place in the Lowy Institute rankings under the Asia Power Index 2025, with the Australia-based think tank stating in its latest findings that the United States and China held the first and second positions respectively.

The index, now in its seventh edition, evaluated 27 countries and territories using 131 indicators across eight key themes. These included military capability, defence networks, economic strength, trade relationships, diplomatic influence, cultural reach, national resilience, and future resources such as technology and strategic assets.

The US remained the undisputed leader with an overall score of 81.7 out of 100, while China followed with a score of 73.7, reflecting a 1% increase in comprehensive power compared to the 2024 assessment. India achieved a score of 40, marking a 2% improvement from the previous edition.

The institute noted that while India remained significantly ahead of most Asian peers, a substantial gap persisted between India and China despite both nations improving their standings across several metrics.

A key highlight of the 2025 report was India crossing the threshold for “major power” status — a defined benchmark in the Asia Power Index framework — for the first time. Analysts attributed India’s upward trajectory to strong post-COVID economic recovery, rising military capability, expanding defence partnerships, and growing geopolitical leverage.

The report referenced India’s gains in international connectivity, technology development, economic output, and steady improvements in defence capacity, emphasizing that its economy had continued a strong growth path and its armed forces had enhanced capabilities consistently.

Among other notable shifts in Asia, Russia recorded a regional power rebound for the first time since 2019, aided by strengthening defence and economic cooperation with strategic partners.

Japan’s comprehensive power remained mostly stable, though it reflected modest declines across select indicators. Smaller Southeast Asian nations logged incremental overall gains, while the report also flagged long-term pressures on certain countries to maintain relative power balance in the region.

China was also observed narrowing its distance with the US in Asia’s power hierarchy, reducing the margin by only a few points, while long-term sustainability challenges were highlighted for select regional players.

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