Bangladesh, Sept. 13 -- For two decades, critics have repeatedly predicted the demise of BRICS. They have questioned whether countries with different political systems, economic priorities, cultures and strategic interests could sustain a meaningful partnership. Yet the opposite has happened. BRICS has expanded, its influence has grown, and its appeal across the Global South has become increasingly difficult to ignore.

The reason is straightforward: BRICS was never built on the assumption that its members must agree on everything. Its strength lies in a different proposition - that countries with different histories and development models can cooperate where their interests converge, while defending their sovereignty and strategic auton...