India Ranked World’s Third-Strongest Defence Power in Lowy Institute’s Asia Power Index 2025

New Delhi: India has been ranked as the world’s third most powerful nation in terms of defence capability in the Asia Power Index 2025, published by Australia’s prestigious Lowy Institute. Positioned just behind the United States and China, India’s rise marks a notable achievement, reflecting its expanding strategic and economic influence. The report highlights that Operation Sindoor played a crucial role in elevating India’s global military standing and showcasing its operational strength.

The index evaluates national power using a combination of military capability and economic strength, areas in which India has surpassed several developed nations. According to the report, India has overtaken Japan, Russia, South Korea, and Australia on key performance indicators. In contrast, Pakistan ranks 16th, placing it significantly behind India. The Asia Power Index is compiled annually and uses 131 indicators grouped under eight core parameters, including military power, defence networks, economic influence, diplomatic reach, cultural impact, resilience, and future potential. A score of 40 or above qualifies a nation as a “major power,” and 27 countries have been assessed this year.

India’s ranking improved primarily due to its strong economic momentum. The report projects robust economic growth for India in 2025, which allowed the country to surpass Japan in overall economic power. Foreign investment has also played a major role, with India advancing to ninth place globally in FDI inflows. In a significant development, India is now the second-highest recipient of foreign direct investment worldwide, just behind the United States, while China has slipped to third place. Analysts consider this shift a major indicator of changing regional economic dynamics.

However, despite its strong performance across most parameters, India continues to lag in one key area: defence networking. The country ranks 11th in this category, trailing behind smaller Asian nations such as the Philippines and Thailand. The report notes that while India’s military capability is formidable, building stronger defence partnerships and institutional alliances will be essential to further strengthening its position in the region.