India's diplomatic influence rose last year with experts giving high marks to its leaders' ability to pursue the nation's interests in Asia and globally, a leading Australian think tank that ranks influencers in the region reported Sunday.
The Lowy Institute's Asian Power Index2023, which ranked India fourth, said: "India's Diplomatic Influence rose in 2022, with experts rating it highly for its leaders' ability to prosecute the country's national interests both in Asia and on the global stage."
However, it also said that India "underperforms in relation to its resources" with its influence "concentrated in South Asia" and its possible role in East Asian flashpoints "unclear".
Looking ahead, the report said: "Its sheer size means the country is almost certainly destined to be a major power behind only the United States and China", which occupy the top spots on the index, which ranks them as "superpowers".
"New Delhi's Diplomatic Influence rose by one ranking in 2022 and is now just behind Japan in fourth place," the institute said.
"India scores highly in the Future Resources measure, reflecting its likely greater share of economic, military and demographic weight in the decades to come," the index said.
The Lowy Institute's Asia Power Index, now in its fifth year, evaluates 26 countries and territories for the power they wield in the Indo-Pacific region based on eight factors ranging from military capability and future resources to economic power to cultural influence.
The US received the top rank, followed by China, which, it said, "registered the largest decline in comprehensive power of any country in the Asia Power Index 2023" as a result of its "tough zero-Covid policies that sharply curtailed its global and regional connectivity".
China's "core economic strength and ability to use the economy to geopolitical advantage", it said, "is at its lowest level since 2018, with the United States again leading on this measure".
On the other hand, Beijing "emerges more militarily capable than ever", it said.
"The United States maintains an enduring advantage as the most powerful country in Asia and widened its lead slightly over China for a second year," the Lowy Institute said.
Russia followed India on the index at the fifth spot, but "risks growing irrelevance" due to "Moscow's loss of reputation and its strategic preoccupation with the invasion of Ukraine" and the war's heavy impact on its military-industrial capacity which will affect its defence equipment trade, the report said.
Pakistan ranks 15 on the Index, Bangladesh 19, Sri Lanka 21, and Nepal 25.
India's influence is "weighted towards security ties", the index said, while also asserting that "India makes an uneven strategic contribution to the regional balance".
"Its interests in balancing China overlap with those of Washington, including through the Quad partnership with Australia and Japan", while also noting that "as for India, Japan's contribution to a collective balancing strategy in response to China's rise may be less than the United States hopes".
A significant drawback cited by the report is in India's economic relations with others in the region that "hamper its influence", with it ranking ninth in that segment "in part due to its absence from the region's major free trade deals", it said.
India stayed away from the ten-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement that came into force last year.
The index also cited what it asserted was India's "displacement by the United States and China as a top investor and trade partner for several South Asian neighbours in recent years".
It noted that the US displaced "India as a top investor in two South Asian economies: Bangladesh and Nepal".
In what seemed a contradiction to India's overall diplomatic influence, the institute also reported that its "diplomatic service continues to receive low marks from the Index survey of experts, ranking tenth in the region" for that criterion.
Govt targets to make Tripura self-reliant in fish production: Minister Sudhangshu Das
The state fishery minister Sudhangshu Das on Tuesday said that the government has targeted to make the state self-reliant in fish production and accordingly the government has taken multifaceted initiative to boost fish production in the state.
Tourism to bring alternative economy for Tripura: Sushanta in Assembly
The state tourism minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Tuesday said that the tourism sector in the state will be the backbone of the alternative economy in the coming days. Economic and social development of the local people will be achieved through this industry, he added.
Rs. 24.46 Cr provides as aid to flood-affected farmers: Ratan
In response to an unstarred question by MLA Sudeep Sarkar, Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath revealed comprehensive details about the arrangements made by the Farmers Welfare Department to assist flood-affected farmers in the state.
Infra development of Rs 1000 Crore for rural schools underway: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today informed that for the development of educational infrastructure in rural areas, works amounting to approximately Rs 1000 crore are underway under various schemes.
5,520 drug users receive treatment, 612 recovers: Chief Minister
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today informed that as of January 2025, a total of 5,520 injection drug users have received services from Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) centers. Of these, 612 have completed treatment and returned to the mainstream of healthy, normal lives.
Pradyot slams Yunus’s statement on NE, urges Centre to take firm stance
Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, the Royal Scion and founder of the Tipra Motha Party, strongly condemned a recent remark by Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's Chief Advisor, regarding the Northeast Indian states, urging India to take a firm stance in response.
95 percent of Agartala Smart City works completed: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today informed that almost 95 percent of the work under Agartala Smart City Limited has already been completed and remaining works are expected to be completed by May 2025.
More relief, medical supplies: India continues humanitarian aid to Myanmar
In a heartwarming gesture, Myo Aung, the Chief Minister of Mandalay, visited the facility, witnessing first hand the compassionate care being extended. The Indian Army shared this on X on Tuesday with a few photos.