Asia Power Index 2025 – Key Highlights

The Lowy Institute (Australia) has classified India as a major power for the first time in the Asia Power Index 2025.

• India’s overall score: 40
  • Behind US (80.4) and China (73.5)
  • Slightly ahead of Japan, widening its lead in 2025.

Top 5 Most Powerful Countries in Asia (2025)

1. United States – Rank 1
2. China – Rank 2
3. India – Rank 3
4. Japan – Rank 4
5. Russia – Rank 5

(Australia fell to Rank 6.)

Important Observations

• India’s Power Growing Steadily
  • Increased by 0.9 points in 2025.
  • India is now on the cusp of “military superpower” status — threshold score also 40.
• Economic Relationships – India’s First Rise Since 2018
  • India overtook China as the second-largest destination for inward investment (after the US) based on decade-long cumulative flows.
  • But trade ties across Asia remain relatively weak.

United States & China Trend

• US power dips to its lowest level in Asia since the index began (2018).
• China closes the gap with the US — smallest margin since 2020.