
Indonesia has scooped Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand to become the first Asean country to join the Brics bloc of developing economies as a full member. Brazil, the new Brics rotational chair, announced Indonesia's admission was timely with strategic significance.
As the world's largest Muslim-majority nation and Southeast Asia's biggest economy, Indonesia's nine-week transition from a Brics partner to a full member demonstrates its growing diplomatic weight in a contested geopolitical landscape.
Under President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia has pursued a "bolder free and active diplomacy", leveraging its historical legacy, economic potential, and regional leadership. Several attributes underpin Jakarta's decision to join Brics.
First and foremost, Indonesia's membership in Brics coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference of 1955. This landmark event placed Jakarta at the forefront of the developing world, popularly known as the Global South.
During the post-colonial era, 29 newly decolonised nations in Asia and Africa met in Bandung and expressed solidarity to assert their sovereignty and independence in the international arena.
Indonesia's participation in Brics has inevitably refreshed the "Spirit of Bandung," emphasising mutual respect, cooperation, and non-alignment as front and centre of its foreign policy.
In a nutshell, with Mr Prabowo at the helm, Indonesia emphasises active involvement in international affairs, promoting Asean centrality, peace, social justice, and cooperation among nations while respecting sovereignty.
By joining Brics, Mr Prabowo is keen to shape the trajectory of the Global South. As an emerging economy and non-security alliance country, he wants to be recognised as a new champion to protect the interests of developing nations and mitigate geopolitical tensions.
Moreover, Brics offers significant economic potential for Indonesia, given that over 40% of the world's population, before it was granted full membership, lives in Brics member countries. It is also being projected to become the largest economic group by 2030. As such, Indonesia can gain access to new financial sources and investment opportunities and expand export markets.
Indonesia also has rich natural resources, particularly in renewable energy and minerals, especially its vast nickel reserves, which augments its strategic value as a pivotal player in the global energy transition.
Indonesia's membership has further created a formidable non-Western bloc that can challenge existing power structures.
As a member of G20, Jakarta has often found its influence overshadowed by developed nations with their agendas. During its G20 presidency in 2022, Jakarta demonstrated diplomatic finesse by mediating tensions between members over divisive issues such as the war in Ukraine. Furthermore, on the sideline of the summit, Bali was also the venue for the leaders of the US and China to hold talks.
Brics can also enhance Indonesia's voice and capacity to negotiate on global issues, such as reforming global governance, creating a more inclusive world order, dealing with climate change, sustainable development, and fair-trade practices in the emerging multipolar world order.
Indirectly, Brics could accelerate Jakarta's accession to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It has long aspired to join this Paris-based organisation, which sets international standards for economic policies. The country could achieve OECD membership within three years, boosting its global standing and economic influence.
As stated by Foreign Minister Sugiono over the weekend, with its growing economic and diplomatic clout, Indonesia can be a bridge builder between the Global South and established global institutions such as Apec and the G20.
Moreover, Indonesia's identity as a secular Muslim-majority nation with a non-aligned foreign policy adds more dynamism to Brics. Among the bloc's new members, Indonesia stands out as a heavyweight capable of representing broader Global South interests. Its ability to mediate and advocate for inclusive growth and equitable development positions it as a vital contributor to the bloc's agenda.
Within the region, its membership will pave the way for three other Brics partners -- Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand -- to follow suit. Each country has shown interest in full membership, albeit with a different timeframe. They also want an additional platform to strengthen their economic security and strategic autonomy.
When Bangkok applied to join Brics in June 2024, the government of Srettha Thavisin was confident that it would be admitted as a full member at the Kazan summit in October. But more than Thai officials would like to admit, the country still faces political uncertainty at home and diplomatic hurdles, making its path to membership unpredictable.
The prospects of Malaysia and Vietnam being the next two Asean members to join Brics are higher due to their consistent diplomacy and strong economic aspirations. Such a trend could boost the bloc's regional and global influence.
With more Asean members joining Brics, the bloc could integrate Southeast Asia's economic dynamism into its broader agenda. In May, Asean will launch its new vision for the next two decades, with the aim of making it a more integrated single market. Meanwhile, the world's largest free trade bloc, the Asean-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Cooperation, has begun admitting new members -- Chile, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.
Like most countries in the Global South, Indonesia's pivot to Brics reflects a broader disillusionment with Western policies, particularly the "America First" approach under the incoming second Trump administration. They perceive such policies as detrimental to their economic growth and stability.
Developing countries want to see economic inclusivity and a more equitable global order.