New Delhi: Former President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday launched the Responsible Nations Index (RNI) at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC) in the national capital. The index is the first global framework to evaluate countries based on how responsibly they exercise power, rather than their economic strength or military might.
The Responsible Nations Index assesses 154 countries on three core pillars — internal responsibility towards citizens, external responsibility towards the global community, and environmental responsibility.
Global Rankings: Singapore Tops, India at 16th Spot
According to the index, Singapore has emerged as the most responsible nation globally, followed by Switzerland at second place, Denmark at third, and Cyprus at fourth.
India has been ranked 16th, placing it one position above France, reflecting its relatively strong performance across responsibility-based parameters.
In a notable contrast, traditionally powerful nations ranked much lower. The United States stands at 66th position, one rank below Libya, while Japan has been placed at 38th.
Among South Asian countries, Pakistan is ranked 90th, while Afghanistan is near the bottom at 145th.
What Makes RNI Different From Other Global Rankings
The RNI marks a significant departure from conventional global indices that focus on GDP, military strength, or geopolitical influence. Instead, it evaluates how responsibly nations govern, prioritising citizen welfare, environmental sustainability, and responsible engagement with other countries.
“This index defines a responsible nation by how responsibly it behaves towards its citizens. This is a comprehensive index,” Ram Nath Kovind said during the launch.
“At one time, countries were ranked based on economic and military capabilities. But the Responsible Nations Index shows how a country treats its citizens,” he added.
Methodology and Data Sources
The index has been jointly developed by the World Intellectual Foundation, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai, and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
To evaluate country performance, the RNI used data up to 2023 sourced from leading international institutions, including the World Bank, United Nations, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Three Pillars of a Responsible Nation
Explaining the framework, the former President highlighted three key criteria that determine a nation’s responsibility:
- Internal responsibility towards its citizens
- Environmental accountability
- Responsibility towards other nations and the global order