Opinion | India Is A Rising Big Power, Not A 'Middle Power' - As Some Want To Label It

Updated: Oct 16, 2026 18:19 pm IST Published On Oct 16, 2026 18:19 pm IST Last Updated On Oct 16, 2026 18:19 pm IST

Published On Oct 16, 2026 18:19 pm IST

Last Updated On Oct 16, 2026 18:19 pm IST

There appears to be an orchestrated attempt to drag and push India into the vague category of 'Middle Powers' in the global power pecking order, unsurprisingly, much to the surprise and shock of the country's 1.4 billion women, men, and children. Because this goes diametrically against the hard-earned image of India as a growing big power.

Middle powers, theoretically speaking, are countries that enjoy significant influence in their region or part of the world over smaller nations but are constrained by their limited size and power as far as influencing international policies and affairs are concerned, unlike big powers. India crossed that 'middle power' stage many years ago and is now considered, including by the countries calling New Delhi a 'middle power', the most eligible country to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the ultimate club of the superpowers.

Needless to say, India must thwart all such moves as forcefully as possible before it is too late. In this age of AI and hypercommunication, it may take no time for such a label to get stuck, but years and years to get rid of it. It has never been more important than now to position the correct image of the country in the mind of the........

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