After US and China, India most powerful in Asia: Aus institute

NEW DELHI: As an Australia-based institute has placed India as the third most powerful nation in Asia just behind the US and China, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri has attributed India's ascent in the latest Asia Power Index to PM Narendra Modi's "visionary leadership and global strategy".
The Sydney-based Lowy Institute's 2024 Asia Power Index places India as the 3rd most powerful nation in Asia, behind only the US and China.
"India's rise is no accident," Puri asserted and added, "This is the direct result of PM Modi's aggressive diplomatic strategy and his bold ambitions to reshape India's place in the world. Without his leadership, India would still be languishing behind, but today, we see a nation on the verge of superpower status."
The report highlights India's remarkable improvement in various categories, particularly in diplomatic Influence, which surged due to PM Modi's increased international engagements.
Puri highlighted PM Modi's direct involvement, stating, "It's PM Modi's tireless effort on the world stage that has put India back on the map. He's taken India's non-alignment policy and transformed it into a powerful tool for gaining leverage in global diplomacy."
In a critique of previous leadership, Puri took aim at Congress, pointing out how "The country was left rudderless by the previous govt's indecisive and directionless approach. They said the Indian economy will be third largest by 2043 and PM Modi is guaranteeing it will be so in his third term itself. The IMF has, in fact, recently forecast that India will be the third largest economy by 2027. Under their leadership, India would never have made it to the top three on any power index."
Puri further added that "While China's power is plateauing, India is on the rise, and it's clear who we have to thank for that."
The Lowy Institute report notes India's significant gains in economic capability, diplomatic activity,and future resources, signalling a demographic dividend that could fuel its continued rise.
The Lowy Institute is an independent, nonpartisan international policy think tank located in Sydney.