India’s journey towards becoming a global power is anchored in its strategic advantages, positioning the nation as a pivotal force in Asia. The 2024 Lowy Institute Asia Power Index shows India overtaking Japan as the third-ranked power in Asia, behind the United States and China. Strategically located in the Indian Ocean, India holds a pivotal position in global and regional geopolitics, with its influence over crucial maritime routes and as a continental bridge between Southeast Asia and the Gulf.
India’s rapidly expanding economy, projected to become the world’s third-largest within five years, plays a critical role in driving global growth. In 2023 alone, India contributed 16 per cent to worldwide growth, a testament to its economic momentum. With a young and expanding workforce, India enjoys a demographic dividend that offers it a competitive edge in innovation and productivity. These economic and demographic factors provide India with the foundation to assert its influence on the global stage.
Yet even as it rises, India must navigate a range of complex geopolitical challenges that could threaten its national security and economic prosperity. The sharpening rivalry between the United States and China is playing out in areas such as trade, technology, and global governance. Meanwhile, conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have further destabilised global order, while economic nationalism challenges the long-held principles of free trade and open markets.
