Indonesia in BRICS: bridge between the Global South and East

The start of 2025 was a landmark period for BRICS: on 6 January, Indonesia joined the group as a full member.

According to experts, this event was an important milestone in the history of BRICS: the group continues to strengthen its position in the international arena, united countries with great economic and demographic potential. What contribution can Indonesia make to BRICS and to the formation of a new global architecture? What advantages will it gain?

BRICS countries' reactions

Indonesia was warmly welcomed by the BRICS participants. As noted, its candidature was presented and pre-approved during the first wave of the group's expansion, at the XV summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, which holds the BRICS presidency in 2025, announced that Indonesia has become part of the group. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry emphasised the special role of the new BRICS member in deepening cooperation among countries of the Global South.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed confidence that Indonesia will make a significant contribution to the development of BRICS. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun made a statement on China's readiness to expand bilateral ties with the republic as well.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Indonesia's official application was approved by all association’s members. This happened in 2024 after the presidential election and the new head of the republic Prabowo Subianto’s inauguration. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that as the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia shares the values of BRICS and is in favour of promoting multilateral cooperation based on mutual respect, openness, pragmatism, and solidarity.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry expressed hope that the new BRICS country would actively participate in the work of the association and emphasised the prospects for bilateral interaction between Jakarta and Cairo.

Indonesia's Role in BRICS: Southeast Asia's Voice in Multipolar World

Indonesia is one of the world's 20 largest economies and one of the five most populated countries, which, according to analysts, will help BRICS increase its influence in the international arena. The Republic is at the top of the ranking of palm oil producing countries and holds a leading position in the nickel market. In addition, experts note Indonesia's investment and digital development, its aspiration to realise the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

Jakarta is an active participant in many international organisations, platforms and associations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Group of Twenty (G20), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Comprehensive Regional Economic Partnership (CREP).

As part of BRICS, Indonesia intends to focus on combating the effects of climate change, food security, and access to health care. In Jakarta's view, BRICS is a platform to promote the interests of developing countries, which a priori means a fairer world order.

Amelia Anggraini, a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) of Indonesia, believes that BRICS in its renewed composition will contribute to strengthening ties between the association and ASEAN.

“With Indonesia joining the group, BRICS has now become an even more inclusive and representative. It covers nearly half of the world’s population and makes significant contributions to the global economy,” Anggraini was quoted as saying by  ANTARA News.

Ekaterina Koldunova, director of the ASEAN Centre at the MGIMO University, voiced her point of view in an exclusive commentary to TV BRICS.

“Southeast Asia is represented in the association on a large scale, at all levels. Let's not forget that both Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam are interested in cooperation with BRICS. [...] In the future, we have an opportunity to build inter-institutional cooperation between BRICS and ASEAN,” she said.

Many Russian and international experts agree that Indonesia's presence in BRICS is in the interests of the Global South and could accelerate the reform of global governance institutions in the foreseeable future.

Viktoria Perskaya, Doctor of Economics, Director of the Institute for Research on International Economic Relations at the Finance University under the Government of the Russian Federation, said in an exclusive commentary to TV BRICS that group is the platform where Indonesia will be able to express its position on international issues and realise its national interests on the external circuit.

"Indonesia's participation in BRICS is not just about geopolitics. It is also about the structural reforms needed to fuel its ambitious growth agenda. As the largest economy and most populous country in Southeast Asia, Indonesia shares with other BRICS members support for reform of global governance institutions"

Viktoria Perskaya Economic expert on the EEU, BRICS, and SCO countries

BRICS as Indonesia's new economic diplomacy

For Indonesia, BRICS is an opportunity to boost economic development and expand trade horizons. According to Eddy Soeparno, Indonesia’s deputy chairperson of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Jakarta's decision to become a member of the association has increased the country's chances of achieving the desired GDP growth of 7-8 per cent per year by entering new markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. 

Mohammad Faisal, Executive Director of Indonesia's Centre of Reform on Economics, agrees:

"The new government has set an ambitious economic growth target of eight percent. Joining BRICS will provide a significant impetus to achieve the goal. It needs Indonesia to make extraordinary efforts, particularly in attracting investments. While Indonesia has already attracted substantial investment inflows, there is still room for further growth," Faisal told CCTV+, a partner of TV BRICS.

Trade Minister Budi Santoso is confident that BRICS will help Indonesia increase its mining exports (particularly to India and China). Deputy Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Yuliot Tanjung had previously stated the same.

Jakarta now does not exclude oil imports from Russia,  according to Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. He specified that for many years the country had been importing oil from the Middle East.

Another group’s advantage is the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) and its financing of infrastructure projects. For Indonesia, this is a potential support for its strategic initiatives: building a new capital city, energy transition, and development of free economic zones.

BRICS, SCO, and ASEAN economics expert Mikhail Khachaturyan is confident that the future economic benefits that Indonesia will receive thanks to BRICS will be felt by all its citizens.

“From an economic point of view, working in the association will strengthen the republic's involvement in cooperation in the following areas: energy, transport, infrastructure, technology. This will contribute to the creation of new jobs and, consequently, to improved quality of life for the population. Joining BRICS also should simplify the process of student exchange programmes. Such educational programmes are especially relevant for Indonesian youth today”

Mikhail Khachaturyan Expert on BRICS, SCO and ASEAN economy

Expert Council member for Foreign Relations Darmansjah Djumala is convinced that Indonesian diplomacy has made a historic step after the country's inclusion in BRICS, and the country has established itself as a kind of "bridge builder" between states with different interests. 

To summarise, economic cooperation will likely underpin Indonesia's successful integration into BRICS. It is possible that Jakarta will quickly prove itself in the work of the group, especially since this is what is expected from the new member: initiatives that will benefit not only the republic itself, but all the member countries of the association. 

Photo: iStock / TV BRICS