India, Sept. 23 -- The convening of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi marks a consequential inflection point in modern international relations, signalling that the post-Cold War architecture is yielding to a more contested and pluralistic global order. Set against the backdrop of intensifying great-power rivalry, persistent macroeconomic volatility, and widespread dissatisfaction among developing nations, the summit in India's capital moved well beyond routine diplomatic engagement. It served as a high-profile platform where leading emerging economies reaffirmed their intent to rebalance international decision-making and carve out institutional autonomy. By bringing together diverse power centres that represent a decisive share of humani...