China Dominates, India-Japan Rise, America Slides – Asia Power Index 2025 Lifts The Curtain | World News
Canberra: Australia’s prestigious Lowy Institute has published its 2025 annual Asian Power Index, which provides a detailed assessment of military, economic, diplomatic and cultural influence in 27 countries. The report highlights the major shift in regional power, with China now emerging as Asia’s dominant power, India’s steady rise and a decline in US influence compared to previous years. Japan has also improved its position to reflect increased capacity in the region.
Russia Strengthens Its Position
Russia strengthened its position in Asia for the first time since 2019 and regained the influence it lost due to sanctions after the Ukraine war.
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The report states that “Russia’s presence in Asia has increased as the strengthened country has demonstrated resilience to the restrictions imposed by its G7 allies.”
Analysts attribute Moscow’s resurgence in the region largely to its strategic defense and economic partnerships with China and North Korea. Overall, Russia ranks as the fifth most influential power in Asia, regaining territory lost to Australia in 2024.
Asian Power Index 2025: Top 10 Countries
The report ranks countries according to eight thematic areas, including military capacity, defense networks, economic power, diplomatic influence, cultural reach, resilience and future resource potential. The top ten countries are:
- United States – 80.5 (Super Power)
- China – 73.7 (Super Power)
- India – 40.0 (Major Power)
- Japan – 38.8 (Middle Power)
- Russia – 32.1 (Central Power)
- Australia – 31.8 (Medium Power)
- South Korea – 31.5 (Middle Power)
- Singapore – 26.8 (Medium Power)
- Indonesia – 22.5 (Medium Power)
- Malaysia – 20.6 (Medium Power)
Meanwhile, Pakistan failed to make it into the top 10 and was ranked 16th.
India’s Rise in Asia
The report highlights India’s growing influence in Asia. “India’s power in the region is steadily growing and has crossed the threshold for ‘Great Power’ status by 2025,” the index adds.
While India’s military and resource growth has been significant, its diplomatic and economic power have not been fully matched by the growth in its capabilities, suggesting potential for further expansion.
US Faces Decline, China Gains
The only countries listed in the “Superpower” category are the United States and China; Washington is still at the top but is showing its lowest influence score since the Asian Power Index was first launched in 2018.
Analysts attribute much of this decline to policy decisions during the Trump administration, which the report describes as a “net negative” for U.S. influence in Asia.
Meanwhile, Beijing continues to narrow the gap with the United States, reducing the margin of difference to its lowest point since 2020.
Japan’s Steady Progress
Japan’s position also improved and its influence increased relative to other middle powers. This reflects strengthened economic, technological and diplomatic initiatives that position Tokyo as a more capable player in Asia’s evolving power dynamics.
Meanwhile, countries such as South Korea and Australia continue to play important roles as middle powers, influencing the balance of power on the continent.
