Indonesia Joins BRICS: A Strategic Move to Strengthen Global Influence
Table of Contents
Indonesia’s recent accession to the BRICS bloc marks a pivotal moment in its geopolitical and economic strategy. As the world’s fourth most populous nation and Southeast Asia’s largest economy, Indonesia’s full membership in BRICS is a calculated step to amplify its global influence and secure its national interests.
Why BRICS Matters for indonesia
According to Eddy Soeparno, deputy chairperson of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), joining BRICS is a “strategic step as well as the right policy so indonesia’s position is increasingly strong and is taken into account by both the United States and Western European alliance countries, and also by the countries that are members of BRICS.” This move aligns with Indonesia’s long-standing foreign policy of “rowing between two reefs,” a phrase coined by the nation’s founding father, Mohammad Hatta, which emphasizes neutrality and prioritizing national interests over alignment with global power blocs.
Economic Opportunities and Market Expansion
Indonesia’s membership in BRICS opens doors to significant economic opportunities. The bloc, which now includes ten members, represents over 40% of the world’s population and more than 30% of the global economy. Soeparno highlighted that this membership will help Indonesia achieve its ambitious economic growth target of 7 to 8 percent by expanding its export markets.
The escalating trade tensions between China and the US further underscore the importance of diversifying trade partnerships. “this is an opportunity to get an alternative market while increasing bargaining position amidst the escalating China and US trade war,” soeparno noted.
Investment and Knowledge Transfer
Beyond market expansion, Indonesia stands to benefit from increased investment opportunities and funding for critical projects. Soeparno emphasized that BRICS membership will attract investors from countries with rapidly growing economies, such as India and China.
“One of the funding we need right now is to finance the transition to renewable energy. There is also an opportunity for transfer of knowledge from BRICS countries’ specializations such as digitalization in India and technology in China,” he added.
BRICS Membership: A Global Outlook
Indonesia’s accession to BRICS was officially announced by Brazil, the 2025 chair of the bloc. Brazil praised Indonesia’s support for priority issues during its chairmanship, signaling a collaborative future within the group.
Key Benefits of Indonesia’s BRICS Membership
| Aspect | Impact |
|————————–|—————————————————————————-|
| Economic Growth | Access to new markets, boosting export potential. |
| Investment | Increased foreign investment in infrastructure and renewable energy. |
| Geopolitical Influence| Strengthened global position and bargaining power.|
| Knowledge Transfer | Opportunities to learn from BRICS members like India and China. |
Looking Ahead
Indonesia’s BRICS membership is more than a symbolic gesture—it’s a strategic move to secure its economic future and strengthen its global standing. As the bloc continues to expand, Indonesia’s role within BRICS will be crucial in shaping the global economic landscape.
For more insights on how Indonesia plans to leverage its BRICS membership, explore how the country aims to tap into the bloc for mining exports and ensure that the membership benefits all Indonesians, as highlighted by the DPR.
Indonesia’s journey within BRICS is just beginning, and the world will be watching closely as it navigates this new chapter in its global strategy.
Indonesia Joins BRICS: A Strategic move for Economic Growth and Global Influence
indonesia’s recent accession to the BRICS bloc has sparked important interest in its potential to reshape the nation’s economic and geopolitical landscape. As the world’s fourth most populous country and Southeast Asia’s largest economy, Indonesia’s decision to join BRICS is seen as a strategic move to strengthen its global influence and secure its national interests. in this exclusive interview, Sarah Mitchell, Senior Editor of world-today-news.com, sits down with Dr.Arif Rahman,a renowned economist and expert on Southeast Asian geopolitics,to discuss the implications of Indonesia’s BRICS membership.
Why BRICS Matters for Indonesia
Sarah Mitchell: Dr. Rahman, Indonesia’s decision to join BRICS has been described as a “strategic step” by Eddy soeparno of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly. Can you elaborate on why this move is so significant for Indonesia?
Dr. Arif Rahman: Absolutely, sarah. Indonesia’s accession to BRICS is a calculated decision that aligns with its long-standing foreign policy of neutrality,often referred to as “rowing between two reefs.” This policy, coined by Mohammad Hatta, emphasizes prioritizing national interests over alignment with global power blocs. By joining BRICS, Indonesia is positioning itself to be taken more seriously by both Western powers and emerging economies.It’s a move that strengthens its bargaining power on the global stage.
Economic Opportunities and Market Expansion
Sarah Mitchell: One of the key benefits highlighted is the potential for economic growth and market expansion. How does BRICS membership open up new opportunities for Indonesia?
Dr. Arif Rahman: BRICS represents over 40% of the world’s population and more than 30% of the global economy. For indonesia,this means access to vast new markets,particularly in countries like China,India,and Brazil. With escalating trade tensions between China and the US, Indonesia has an opportunity to diversify its trade partnerships and reduce its reliance on conventional markets.This diversification is crucial for achieving its ambitious economic growth target of 7 to 8 percent.
Investment and Knowledge Transfer
Sarah Mitchell: Beyond market expansion, what role does investment and knowledge transfer play in Indonesia’s BRICS membership?
Dr. Arif Rahman: investment is a critical component. BRICS membership will likely attract more foreign investment,particularly from rapidly growing economies like India and China. For instance, Indonesia is in dire need of funding for its transition to renewable energy, and BRICS countries can provide both the capital and the technological expertise needed for such projects. Additionally, there’s a significant opportunity for knowledge transfer, especially in areas like digitalization and technology, where countries like India and China are global leaders.
BRICS membership: A Global Outlook
Sarah Mitchell: Indonesia’s accession was officially announced by Brazil, the 2025 chair of BRICS. What does this mean for Indonesia’s role within the bloc?
Dr. Arif Rahman: Brazil’s endorsement is a strong signal of the collaborative future Indonesia can expect within BRICS. As a member,Indonesia will have a platform to advocate for its national interests and contribute to shaping the global economic landscape.This is particularly important as BRICS continues to expand and evolve, offering Indonesia a chance to strengthen its geopolitical influence and ensure its voice is heard on critical global issues.
Key Benefits of Indonesia’s BRICS Membership
sarah Mitchell: To summarize, what are the key benefits Indonesia stands to gain from its BRICS membership?
Dr. Arif Rahman: The benefits are multifaceted.Economically, Indonesia gains access to new markets and increased export potential. Investment-wise, there’s a significant boost in foreign capital, particularly for infrastructure and renewable energy projects. Geopolitically, Indonesia’s global standing is strengthened, giving it more bargaining power. And there’s the invaluable aspect of knowledge transfer, allowing Indonesia to learn from the technological and digital advancements of other BRICS members.
Looking Ahead
Sarah Mitchell: As Indonesia embarks on this new chapter within BRICS, what should we expect in the coming years?
dr. arif rahman: Indonesia’s journey within BRICS is just beginning, but the potential is immense. We can expect to see increased economic collaboration, more strategic investments, and a stronger geopolitical presence. The world will be watching closely as Indonesia navigates this new chapter, and if leveraged correctly, this membership could be a game-changer for the nation’s future.
Sarah Mitchell: Thank you, Dr. Rahman, for your insights. It’s clear that indonesia’s BRICS membership is a pivotal step in its quest for economic growth and global influence.
Dr. Arif Rahman: Thank you, Sarah. It’s an exciting time for Indonesia, and I look forward to seeing how this strategic move unfolds.
For more insights on Indonesia’s BRICS membership and its implications, explore how the country aims to tap into the bloc for mining exports and ensure that the membership benefits all Indonesians,as highlighted by the DPR.
