IntroductionBrazil which is the Chair of BRICS+ for the year 2025 announced the entry of Indonesia into BRICS. Said the Brazil government in a statement:“In the cont

Brazil which is the Chair of BRICS+ for the year 2025 announced the entry of Indonesia into BRICS. Said the Brazil government in a statement:

“In the context of Brazil’s pro tempore presidency of 

, which began on January 1st and will continue until December 31th, 2025, the Brazilian government announced today, January 6th, the formal entry of the Republic of Indonesia into BRICS as a full member.”

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, while commenting on Indonesia’s entry into BRICS said:

“As a BRICS member, Indonesia wants to become a bridge-builder for the interests of developing economies and the Indo-Pacific nations. We will continue to remain active in preventing further escalations to geoeconomic and geopolitical rivalry,”

Indonesia’s entry into BRICS+ had been approved in August 2023, but it was decided by the ASEAN nation that it would formally join the grouping only after presidential elections were held -- elections were held in February 2024 and Prabowo Subianto was confirmed as president in March 2024 and his inauguration took place in October 2024. The group began as BRIC in 2006 – with Brazil, Russia, India and China being its initial members.  With the entry of South Africa in 2010, the organisation was renamed as BRICS. In 2023, BRICS invited six countries -- Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – to enter the organisation as full members. In January 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates joined the organisation (Argentina rejected the offer, while Saudi Arabia has not joined BRICS until now).

The strongest reiteration of Indonesia’s neutral foreign policy, amidst a complex global geopolitical landscape, is the Russia-Ukraine issue. Then Indonesian President Joko Widodo (referred to as Jokowi) invited Vladimir Putin for the G20 Summit held at Bali in November 2022, much to the displeasure of the west – Putin did not attend the Summit. Jokowi also visited both Ukraine and Russia in June 2022. Indonesia also shares close economic ties with China and is a signatory to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Indonesia has also been maintaining robust economic and strategic ties with US and Japan. While many analysts and commentators believe that the style of current Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto – sworn in October 2024 – maybe different from that of Jokowi, the former is likely to continue with a balanced foreign policy – ensuring cordial ties with both China and the West. In November 2024, Prabowo had visited both US and China. In the past, there was a ban on the entry of Prabowo into the US.

Importance of Indonesia’s entry into BRICS+

The ASEAN nation’s entry is important for several reasons. First, Indonesia is the most populous country in ASEAN. Second, it is the largest economy within ASEAN. Third as mentioned earlier the ASEAN country’s stance on complex foreign policy issues is nuanced.

While several BRICS members have gone for trade in local currencies in the aftermath of US sanctions on Russia, there has been growing talk of a BRICS currency. While Russia and China have been pushing for the same, along with some other members, India has not been cautious.

Incoming US President Donald Trump had even issued a warning that countries going in for de-dollarization may have to face sanctions. Said Trump in a social media post

“We require a commitment from these countries that they will neither create a new BRICS currency, nor back any other currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar or, they will face 100% Tariffs and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy.”

After Trump’s remarks, India categorically distanced itself from the proposal of a BRICS currency. Brazil while being open to de-dollarisation has been cautious regarding a BRICS currency.

In conclusion, the expansion of BRICS+ is important for more than one reason. Firstly, it shows the growing interest of countries in BRICS+ due to economic and geopolitical reasons.  Second, while Indonesia has been an ardent advocate of South-South cooperation its foreign policy is pragmatic and is not blinkered by any one factor.

Indonesia's entry into BRICS+: The economic and geopolitical significance

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