Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally welcomed Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto into the BRICS group during the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Indonesia has now become a full member of the BRICS group, which is made up of developing nations working together to shape global policies.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed this development on Monday (Indian time). During a special media briefing, Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi said, "The Prime Minister thanked President Lula for his warm hospitality and welcomed the Indonesian President for joining BRICS as a full member."

PM Modi’s visit to the summit was seen as very important, especially as India is set to take over the BRICS chair in 2026. Ravi said, "The Prime Minister's visit elevated the entire summit. It reflects the value President Lula placed on India's role and the fact that India will take over the chair next year. PM Modi's participation assumes greater significance and importance, given that background."

Indonesian President shares vision for BRICS

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto shared his thoughts on joining BRICS through a post on social media platform X. He said, "With the theme 'Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,' I, together with the leaders of member countries, exchanged views on various global challenges currently faced while formulating joint strategies to enhance the role and solidarity of Southern countries moving forward."

He added that "Indonesia is committed to continuously advocating for fair and inclusive global cooperation, as well as promoting national interests in the fields of economy, finance, education, and technology. This commitment aligns with the main pillars of BRICS discussions, which emphasise strengthening the multilateral system to achieve sustainable global prosperity."

Summit reflects growing importance of BRICS

The summit was held under the theme 'Strengthening Global South Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Governance' and came at a time when the world is facing many big changes. Ravi noted, "This two-day summit assumes significant importance in the context of fast-changing global developments."

The 2025 BRICS Summit had a larger format than previous years, showing the group’s growing importance in global affairs. According to Ravi, “The scale of participation was notable, with 11 permanent members, nine partner countries, eight invitee nations, and seven heads of international organisations attending.”

India, a founding member of BRICS, is expected to play a key role as the next chair in 2026.

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