Indonesia seeks BRICS membership under President Prabowo's leadership

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has reiterated his long-held ambition to bring Indonesia into the BRICS economic bloc, a goal he first outlined during his 2014 presidential campaign.

In a recent statement at an Indonesia-Brazil business forum on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Prabowo emphasized that BRICS membership has been a central campaign promise and a priority for his administration since taking office on October 20, Caliber.Az reports via Indonesian media.

"Back in 2014 when I ran for president, I announced that I would bring Indonesia to join BRICS," Prabowo said, reflecting on his long-standing commitment to the group. He further explained that shortly after assuming office, he sent his foreign minister to the BRICS summit in Kazan to formally express Indonesia's interest in joining the bloc.

"We want to join Brazil and the other BRICS countries. We think that this will be a significant new element in the new global economy," Prabowo added.

BRICS, which originally consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded its membership to include countries such as Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Indonesia’s entry into BRICS would not only enhance its geopolitical influence but also provide access to critical financial resources through the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB). 

Prabowo’s push contrasts with the approach of his predecessor, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who previously indicated that Indonesia was not in a rush to join the group. While Jokowi focused on other priorities during his presidency, Prabowo has made BRICS membership one of his first acts in office, signalling a shift in Indonesia’s foreign policy.

The BRICS bloc, which began as an informal group of ministers in 2006 and held its first official leaders' summit in 2009, has become a significant player in global economic governance, challenging Western-dominated structures. Indonesia’s current partner status with BRICS positions the country as a probationary member, paving the way for potential full membership in the future.

By Khagan Isayev