In the world of diplomacy, the prospect of Indonesia joining the BRICS group has been a subject of interest for over a decade. Indonesia has attended some BRICS meetings, however the concept of officially joining the influential bloc has gained latest impetus in recent times with support from global players comparable to China. With Indonesia’s decision to hitch BRICS expected to be made in early 2024, it’s critical to look at the dynamics and considerations behind this potential move.
More than a decade ago, discussions about Indonesia joining BRICS first emerged. However, even then the Indonesian government was cautious in its stance. As Dr. Marty Natalegawa, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, notes, the difficulty of BRICS membership was viewed through the prism of the G20, where BRICS step by step led China in comparison with the G7. Indonesia desired to avoid actions that would further divide the G20. To this end, they initiated MIKTA – a forum including Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey and Australia – countries outside the G7 and BRICS, but a part of the G20.
MIKTA’s primary goal was not to spotlight divisions, but relatively to construct bridges. Nevertheless, this has proven to be a way for these countries to reassess their stance towards BRICS. Indonesia’s cautious approach was evident even in its decision to hitch MIKTA.
Current scenario
The issue of Indonesia’s BRICS membership has resurfaced in recent times. In July 2023, Indonesia accepted an invite to take part in the 2023 BRICS Summit. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and other officials attended the event, although they downplayed ongoing negotiations and media attention surrounding the subject.
Dr. Natalegawa’s perspective on this matter is crucial to understanding Indonesia’s position. It highlights that Indonesia’s position throughout the G20 is evolving and the nation is searching for to play a more outstanding role. It is value noting that he mentions India’s chairmanship of the G20, which incorporates the admission of the African Union to the grouping. Dr. Natalegawa sees this as a particularly significant event in global affairs. In an excellent scenario, he envisions Indonesia, as former G20 president, initiating ASEAN membership within the G20 after which adopting an analogous approach with the African Union, making a more unified voice for the nations of Asia and Africa on global affairs.
However, it recognizes the necessity to just accept the present reality. Despite the attractive prospect of Indonesia taking up a more outstanding role within the G20, the choice to hitch BRICS is complex and requires careful consideration.
ASEAN Media Forum 2023
This discussion with Dr. Marty Natalegawa took place on the seventh ASEAN Media Forum 2023 in Jakarta on October 31, 2023. At the forum, Dr. Natalegawa provided insights on “the importance of ASEAN in the worldwide energy complex”, highlighting the importance of ASEAN’s role in global power dynamics.
