India Ascends: BRICS Summit Highlights Global Power Shift as US Influence Wanes

As India wraps up hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has starkly warned that President Donald Trump 'America First' policies are pushing traditional US allies away, creating a dangerous global drift. Amidst this, Cornell University scholar Allen Carlson suggests the expanded BRICS bloc, now with 11 members, is solidifying as the core of a new international order, with India and China at its heart, challenging Washington's long-held dominance. This isn't just about trade deals; it's a profound shift in global power. While India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, flexes its growing economic muscle and 'muscular' foreign policy to rally the Global South, the US under Trump is seen as disengaging from critical global issues like climate change and economic stability. The BRICS agenda, covering everything from Middle East conflicts to energy security and global governance, directly addresses the gaps Washington is perceived to be leaving, leading countries like Egypt and Brazil to look eastward. The summit also saw India and China, despite their ongoing border disputes, discuss pathways to de-escalate tensions and boost economic ties, underscoring the complex dynamics at play in this evolving landscape. What comes next? Observers will be closely watching for how this 'drift' impacts established alliances and whether the US can reassert its leadership, as many partners are 'eagerly waiting' for. The New Delhi Declaration, adopted unanimously by BRICS members, provides a roadmap for cooperation that offers an alternative to the US-led order. The increasing cohesion among BRICS nations, especially in areas like trade in national currencies and digital public infrastructure, signals a long-term trend towards a more multipolar world, forcing global players to rethink their allegiances and strategies.