Indonesia joined BRICS, what does this mean?

Indonesia with it’s substantial economic resources and political influence will enhance BRICS’s collective influence on the global stage. BRICS would become a more powerful entity, challenging the current dominance of Western-led international institutions. This shift in power dynamics could lead to a reshaping of the global order. As one of the largest economies in Southeast Asia and the fourth most populous country in the world, Indonesia could significantly influence the group’s impact on global affairs.

The Government of Brazil, as the current BRICS chair, has officially announced that the Republic of Indonesia has been accepted as a full member of the BRICS group. The statement also noted that Indonesia’s candidacy was endorsed by the group’s leaders at the Johannesburg summit in August 2023.

The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has highlighted Indonesia’s potential to enhance cooperation among Global South nations. China also expressed its congratulations, noting Indonesia’s active participation in BRICS Plus initiatives and its alignment with the BRICS spirit of multilateralism and common development.

In turn, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked Russia, as 2024 BRICS Chair, for its support and leadership in facilitating Indonesia’s accession to the group, as well as Brazil, 2025 BRICS Chair, which announced Indonesia’s membership.

Earlier, Eduardo Paes Saboia, Brazil’s Foreign Ministry Secretary for Asia and the Pacific and the country’s Sherpa to BRICS, said that the Brazilian government supports the inclusion of new participants in the group. Additionally, in December it became known that Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan would join the association as partner countries.

Through this membership, Indonesia will strengthen its ties with other members, particularly China and Russia. This alignment could potentially lead to a realignment of regional alliances, shifting the balance of power within the Indo-Pacific region. Such a development would impact global geopolitics and the strategic interests of various actors.

Additionally, BRICS has shown interest in reforming international institutions to make them more inclusive and representative. Indonesia’s voice within the group could contribute to this process, potentially shaping a more balanced and equitable global governance system.

In conclusion, while the specific consequences of Indonesia’s BRICS membership remain uncertain, it is clear that the country’s inclusion would bring significant changes to the global landscape. These changes could impact various aspects of world politics, economics, and geopolitics.