Fast forward to 2026, and the BRICS summit? Barely a whisper. No public campaigns, no ‘People’s Presidency’ vibe, not even the same energy. Why? Because spectacle has a shelf life. What worked once; projecting India as the voice of the Global South; doesn’t automatically work again. The world’s changed. BRICS is more分裂 now, COP33 would’ve dragged India into uncomfortable climate accountability, and let’s be honest; nobody wants to overdo the drama. Summitry isn’t just about hosting; it’s about timing, optics, and knowing when less noise equals smarter politics. Modi’s team seems to have realized: sometimes, stepping back is the strongest move.