Indonesia has become the first Southeast Asian country to join BRICS as a full member, announced by Brazil on January 6. Indonesia’s membership follows its endorsement at the 2023 Johannesburg Summit, but the country delayed acceptance until after forming a new government. Now part of a group including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and others, Indonesia gains access to trade and financial opportunities through BRICS, aligning with its “Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision” to become a developed economy.
Other ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, have also engaged with BRICS, highlighting ASEAN’s growing influence in global trade. Leaders from these nations emphasize that joining BRICS is about expanding economic and geopolitical options, not choosing sides, and aligns with fostering multilateralism and a fair global order.
Source – CGTN