BRICS invite Indonesia: A revolution in the making

Recently, no fewer than 6 countries joined the BRICS in what is now known as BRICS+. Although the organization has rejected the membership applications of some countries, it seems to be calling on others to join. Such is the case of Indonesia.

In brief:

• The BRICS invite Indonesia to join the coalition, a first in the group’s history.
• The country offers geopolitical and geostrategic advantages, particularly in the control of sea lanes.
• Indonesia’s eventual membership would strengthen the BRICS’ monetary ambitions.

Indonesia invited to join BRICS

The recent integration of a number of countries into the BRICS group has led some to claim that a move away from the dollar is inevitable. A news report concerning Indonesia lends further credence to this idea.

The Asian country was one of the forty or so states that wished to join the BRICS. But the latest news is that the organization is taking steps to co-opt it, according to Retno Marsudi, Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

According to Marsudi, the foreign ministers of the BRICS countries have invited Indonesia to join the group. “All BRICS foreign ministers have approached Indonesia to invite it to join the organization,” she said.

For the first time, the order seems to be reversing. Indonesia is the first country to be invited to join the BRICS. At the same time, several other countries are taking the opposite step to join the group.

Will Indonesia accept what looks like a tempting offer in view of the redistribution of global geopolitical cards? According to the Indonesian Foreign Minister, the government is currently weighing up the benefits of joining the organization.

There is another, much deeper question to be asked. Why Indonesia and not Gabon, for example, the latter also wanting to join the BRICS? Indonesia has a lot going for it.

BTCTN: #BRICS diplomats approached #Indonesia with #invitation to join, foreign minister unveils. https://t.co/o9fdHkomr3

— Hudson Estell♠️ (@HudsonEstell1) September 2, 2023

The benefits of Indonesia joining the BRICS

The BRICS’ appeal to Indonesia is anything but accidental. Like the countries recently approved for membership, Indonesia enjoys a number of geopolitical and geostrategic advantages.

First and foremost, it is a key player on the world economic stage. This influence is ensured by its natural resources, in particular hydrocarbons, of which it is a major producer.

Secondly, Indonesia plays a major role in controlling maritime routes, thanks to its strategic location. This asset enables it to regulate and secure shipping lanes. This is vital for China’s New Silk Road.

Finally, Indonesia’s foreign policy is traditionally based on neutrality and non-alignment. A policy in line with the BRICS’ ambition to promote peaceful international relations.

Not to mention the fact that Indonesia is a G20 member with the fourth-largest population in the world. A major advantage when one considers the weight this represents in economic and financial terms. This lends further substance to the BRICS’ monetary ambitions, which do not exclude cryptos.