Following recent presidential ballots in February, Indonesia is weighing the option of joining BRICS. The country’s embassy in Moscow informed a local newspaper that Jakarta is evaluating the prospects with care, keeping a neutral stance and prioritizing ASEAN over the QUAD, while avoiding explicit alignment with either China or the United States.
In January, Indonesia submitted an application to join the OECD, a move that could be viewed as an alternative pathway to BRICS membership.
The publication notes that discussions about Indonesia joining BRICS have persisted for a decade, yet no formal statement has been issued. Indonesia participated in the BRICS summit hosted by South Africa in 2023, where it was decided to broaden membership in some form.
Originally, the issue of Indonesia’s BRICS membership was expected to be resolved in early 2024, but that outcome did not materialize. The country continues to assess its options as BRICS contemplates expansion. The Indonesian embassy in Moscow stated that Jakarta recognizes the group’s significance and supports expanding economic cooperation with its members. The exact participation format remains open, and Russia, which will chair BRICS in 2024, is guiding the discussions. Indonesia plans to stay engaged with the BRICS+ framework until a definitive decision on membership is reached.
Previously, the Indonesian Minister of Defense signaled a readiness to address the country’s presidential process and its implications for strategic ties, underscoring a pragmatic approach to major multilateral engagements while maintaining a cautious posture on alliances.