Context:
India ranked third in the annual Asia Power Index, released by an Australian think tank.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Asia Power Index:
- Launch: Established by the Lowy Institute in 2018.
- Purpose: Provides an annual measurement of power dynamics within the Asia-Pacific region.
- Evaluation Scope: Assesses the capabilities of 27 countries in shaping and responding to regional and global affairs.
- Focus: Evaluates both the material capabilities of states and their influence on the international stage.
- 2024 Edition: Features an expanded assessment of power distribution, including Timor-Leste for the first time, underscoring its increasing importance in Southeast Asia.
Structure of the Index:
The index is divided into two key determinants:
Resource-Based Determinants:
- Assesses the economic strength of a nation using indicators such as GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP), technological advancement, and global economic connectivity.
- Measures conventional military strength based on factors like defense spending, the size and sophistication of armed forces, and key weapon systems such as long-range power projection.
- Looks at a country’s ability to manage internal and external threats to state stability, including institutional strength, geopolitical security, and resource security.
- Projects the future distribution of critical resources (economic, military, and demographic) up to 2035.
Influence-Based Determinants:
- Evaluates a country’s capacity to exert influence through trade, investment, and economic diplomacy.
- Assesses the strength of alliances and partnerships based on military cooperation and arms transfers.
- Measures a country’s diplomatic reach, including its involvement in multilateral forums and foreign policy leadership.
- Focuses on the country’s ability to influence international public opinion through cultural exports, media presence, and people-to-people ties.
Power Scoring:
- Overall Power Score: A nation’s power is measured by a weighted average across eight key metrics, totaling 131 individual indicators. This offers a comprehensive view of a nation’s global and regional influence.
-Source: Times of India
