Indonesia Surfs the BRICS Wave

BRICS is laden with the interests of each of its members. As a "newcomer," Indonesia must be astute in reading the situation to avoid being dragged along while remaining focused on its own goals: promoting the nation's economic independence.

On January 6, 2025, Indonesia officially became a member of BRICS as the global political constellation shifted. Established in 2009, BRICS is an association initially comprising—true to its acronym—Brazil, Russia, India, and China, followed by South Africa in 2010. BRICS now consists of 10 member countries.

BRICS emerges as a counterbalance to the global system, including the governance of the international economy, from the Global South. BRICS members believe that the current system is viewed through the lens of developed countries, making it less favorable to developing nations. They aspire to establish a multilateral system that is more inclusive and equitable.

The Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Kadir Jailani, stated that BRICS has a mission to reform the global legal order by emphasizing the equality of sovereignty among nations. Indonesia's accession to BRICS marks a historic milestone in the nation's diplomacy.

"BRICS is a bloc of middle-class countries. Therefore, the expectation is that we will more strongly voice the interests of developing countries," said Kadir in Jakarta, Wednesday (26/2/2025).

Kadir explained that Indonesia's participation does not necessarily mean that Indonesia is siding with a particular bloc. Indonesia is also in the process of applying for membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which demonstrates its willingness to cooperate with anyone. "This is our way of navigating in accordance with the principle of being free and active," he stated.

In addition, Kadir emphasized, BRICS has no agenda to create its own currency. BRICS members implement cooperation with local currencies or local currency transactions (LCT).

There was once a debate about the pros and cons of Indonesia joining BRICS. The Head of the Department of International Relations at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Nur Rachmat Yuliantoro, stated that the benefits for Indonesia include increased investment, access to new markets, and strengthening its position on the international stage.

"However, BRICS membership could bring losses in the form of potential tensions with non-BRICS countries, especially the United States. In addition, adaptation to BRICS economic policies and risks related to BRICS internal dynamics are highly dependent on China and Russia's relations," Rachmat said.

Indonesia's focus in BRICS, in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto's foreign policy, includes maintaining territorial integrity and encouraging economic independence. "BRICS countries have similar views on these issues so we hope for alignment, although it is not easy. BRICS is a vehicle to fight for national interests," said Kadir.

Meanwhile, BRICS will hold a summit on July 6-7, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. President Prabowo is projected to attend.

Rachmat added that Indonesia could also increase multilateral dialogue on pressing global issues, such as climate change and security. Indonesia could also increase trade and investment volumes and participate in joint infrastructure projects.

In 2024, the World Economic Forum noted, BRICS will cover 3.3 billion people or more than 40 percent of the global population. The BRICS economy contributes 37.3 percent of global gross domestic product based on purchasing power parity. This coverage increased after Indonesia joined.

According to Rachmat, BRICS provides access to a wider and more diverse market. BRICS is different from the World Trade Organization (WTO) which focuses on global trade rules or other regional platforms, such as ASEAN, which are limited in scope.

In the field of education, Rachmat said, Indonesia can encourage the development of student and lecturer exchange programs. BRICS members can conduct collaborative research in the context of human resource development.

"Indonesia's political and economic influence can be increased through BRICS. BRICS strengthens Indonesia's position in international negotiations through alliances with the Global South and reduces dependence on Western countries," he said.

Although BRICS is not an organization bound by agreement, Kadir is optimistic that its fluid nature will spur cooperation. This fluidity is important because BRICS has members from various backgrounds with their own interests. "Rather than not at all, it is better to keep going," he said.

Just like any other organization, BRICS has dynamics. China and India are an example. These two countries have long been at odds and competing, including over border disputes. Moreover, India is close to the United States which is also hostile to China.

Indonesia is not turning a blind eye to such dynamics, Kadir acknowledged. Therefore, he said, Indonesia will play an active and constructive role as a bridge builder to reconcile the views of BRICS members.

Executive Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Yose Rizal Damuri, said that actually, Indonesia had received an offer to join BRICS around 2011. If Indonesia had accepted, the acronym BRICS would have become BRIICS. However, Indonesia refused at that time.

Why did Indonesia finally join? According to Yose, it is likely because Indonesia sees the world conditions changing so that it is full of risks, such as the threat of tariffs and the tendencies of the G7 countries or the US.

"Indonesia's joining is a geopolitical statement that we are working together with various parties without depending on certain pressures, this is not a matter of economic benefits. Free politics does not mean neutral, but free in attitude," said Yose, Friday (28/2/2025).

Yose highlighted that the BRICS agenda has recently begun to focus on discussing politics. So that Indonesia is not trapped in a certain narrative, Indonesia must be able to bring BRICS back to its nature, namely economic development, without being too involved in geopolitical actions. Incidentally, this is in line with President Prabowo's agenda.

However, Indonesia needs to clearly define what economic independence is. "Will this economic independence make the country better or become very costly, as happened with the IKN and the food estate," said Yose.

Regarding the future of relations between Indonesia and Western countries, especially the US, Yose said it was difficult to predict. US President Donald Trump previously threatened to impose tariffs on BRICS if they implemented dedollarization. However, Trump's bilateral relations are good with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to Yose, Indonesia can imitate India's steps which play very well, strategically, and measuredly, even though they are not neutral.

Yose continued, since taking office, President Prabowo has been active in international politics. This step is different from several of his predecessors. President Prabowo's thoughts in several speeches radiate a similar spirit to President Sukarno's thoughts, but with different goals.

"In his time, President Sukarno raised Indonesia's position in the geopolitical order to set an example for countries that were trying to become independent and it was quite successful because almost all Asian and African countries became independent, except Palestine. Unlike the context of President Prabowo, he used foreign policy to support the country's economic development," Yose said.