India has ascended to the position of the third most powerful nation in Asia, overtaking Japan in the 2024 Asia Power Index.

The report reveals that robust economic recovery post-COVID has contributed to a 4.2-point increase in India’s economic capability. Additionally, India excelled in various resource measures, particularly in future resources, where its score jumped by 8.2 points.

This progress indicates that India’s youthful demographic could provide a significant economic advantage in the coming decades, unlike many other Asian nations facing aging populations.

Furthermore, India’s diplomatic influence has strengthened within the Asia Power Index. In 2023, India stepped up its diplomatic engagements, participating in the sixth-highest number of dialogues with countries assessed in the index. This surge in diplomatic activity has solidified India’s position above Japan, enhancing its geopolitical significance in the region.

The Asia Power Index evaluates 27 countries and territories based on their ability to influence their external environments, spanning from Pakistan in the west to Russia in the north, and extending into the Pacific, including Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.