Asia Power Index 2025: Australia's renowned think tank, the Lowy Institute released its annual Asia Power Index on Wednesday, in which Russia has improved its overall power in Asia for the first time since 2019. Meanwhile, the power of India and China in Asia has grown much faster than before. While Japan has performed better than in previous years, the United States has suffered the most losses. Key findings of the institute states that the United States is losing ground in Asia, recording its lowest ever score in the 2025 Asia Power Index. Trump administration’s policies have been attributed to the decline of US power in Asia.
Russia's growing power in Asia
According to the Asia Power Index 2025, Russia's power in Asia is "on the rise," as a "fortress-like Russia" has proven its ability to withstand sanctions imposed by G7 allies following the Ukraine conflict. The Lowy Institute said a major factor in Russia's resurgence in Asia is its defense and economic partnerships with China and North Korea. Overall, Russia is the fifth most influential power in Asia, regaining the position it lost to Australia in 2024.
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Asia Power Index 2025: India maintains its position
The seventh edition of the Asia Power Index evaluates the power of 27 countries and territories across Asia, based on 131 indicators across eight thematic measures, including Military Capability and Defence Networks, Economic Capability and Relationships, Diplomatic and Cultural Influence, as well as Resilience and Future Resources. According to its report, the top five countries for overall power are the United States, China, India, Japan and Russia.
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India has maintained its position as the third-most powerful country in the region driven by its strong economic growth and expanding military capability. The index states, “India’s power in Asia continues to grow steadily, and in 2025 passed the threshold defined by the Asia Power Index for major power status. Yet the growth in India’s influence through diplomacy and economic relationships has not been commensurate with its expanding resources.”
Setback for the US, China's Gain
Another key finding of the institute comes as a setback for the US as China is gaining advantage and closing the gap with the Washington to its narrowest margin since 2020. The index report stated, “China is well placed to withstand coercive US economic policies. And it is successfully positioning itself as a reliable partner amid uncertainty about the US approach to Asia.”
Japan's strength increases, Pakistan at...
The US remains the most influential country in the region, although its power is at its lowest level since the Asia Power Index was launched in 2018. Meanwhile, Japan’s power in Asia remains steady, despite recording negative results for all resource measures except military capability, where it recorded modest growth. Pakistan has been ranked sixteen under the middle powers category, while India shines as the only country in major powers.
| Rank | Country | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | Super Power |
| 2 | China | Super Power |
| 3 | India | Major Power |
| 4 | Japan | Middle Power |
| 5 | Russia | Middle Power |
| 6 | Australia | Middle Power |
| 7 | South Korea | Middle Power |
| 8 | Singapore | Middle Power |
| 9 | Indonesia | Middle Power |
| 10 | Malaysia | Middle Power |
| 11 | Thailand | Middle Power |
| 12 | Vietnam | Middle Power |
| 13 | New Zealand | Middle Power |
| 14 | Taiwan | Middle Power |
| 15 | Philippines | Middle Power |
| 16 | Pakistan | Middle Power |
| 17 | North Korea | Middle Power |
| 18 | Brunei | Middle Power |
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