Brazil has officially announced Indonesia's entry into BRICS, making it a full-time member of the bloc of developing nations. The announcement was made on Monday, with Brazil currently holding the BRICS presidency for 2025.

“The Brazilian government welcomes Indonesia’s entry into the BRICS,” read an official statement. “With the largest population and economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia shares with other members a commitment to reforming global governance institutions and contributes positively to deepening South-South cooperation,” it added.

Indonesia was approved to join BRICS by its leaders in August 2023. However, the country waited until its new government started working last year to officially become a member.

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What is BRICS, and who are its members?

BRICS is a group of countries with growing economies that was created in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa joined later in 2010.

Over time, BRICS has grown bigger. In 2023, more countries like Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates became members. Saudi Arabia has been asked to join but hasn’t accepted yet. Other countries, such as Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia, want to join, but their requests are still being reviewed.

The purpose of BRICS is to help developing countries work together, make global organisations fairer, and give these nations a louder voice in world affairs.

How Indonesia’s entry benefits India

Indonesia joining BRICS is good news for India, as it helps India build stronger connections with countries in the global south. This also makes India’s leadership in international partnerships stronger.

India already has strong ties with current BRICS members like Brazil, China, and South Africa. Its relationships with new members like Iran, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia are also better than ever.

India and Ethiopia have a long history of friendship, which BRICS can further support. Additionally, being part of BRICS helps India stay close to Russia, even as Western countries try to isolate Russia because of the Ukraine conflict.

Indonesia’s foreign policy shift

Indonesia's choice to join BRICS shows a change in its foreign policy under new President Prabowo Subianto. The previous leader, Joko Widodo, wanted to build closer ties with Western countries and join the OECD. However, Subianto has chosen to focus on BRICS instead.

His government thinks BRICS fits better with Indonesia's "free and active" foreign policy. Joining BRICS allows Indonesia to work with different countries worldwide without getting too attached to one group. This move marks a new direction for how Indonesia handles its global relationships.