This piece discusses the "middle powers" debate, with US official Colby dismissing their independent strategies versus Canadian PM Carney's advocacy. India actively pursues strategic independence, forming defence ties with Australia, Japan, and Canada, while US global influence wanes. India's defence-focused economy and global ambitions face cybersecurity challenges. This signifies a complex global power realignment, challenging unipolar structures as US policies shift and India asserts a more prominent international role.