Indonesia Chooses Not To Join Expanded BRICS Membership
Geopolitical Wariness At Play
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August 28, 2023
BRICS Summit 2023. Indonesia has opted out of membership.
While Indonesia's economic prowess makes it an attractive contender for an expanded BRICS alliance, the Southeast Asian nation has decided to abstain from joining the group, citing concerns over geopolitical entanglements and uncertainties about potential economic gains.
BRICS, composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has been a beacon of collaboration among emerging economies. Despite Indonesia's strong candidacy, the country was notably absent from the recent announcement by South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, which introduced an expanded BRICS membership to include Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Indonesia, with its population surpassing 270 million, holds a significant position as an emerging economic powerhouse. Numerous projections indicate that the nation's economy could ascend to rank within the top five globally by the middle of this century.
Nonetheless, Indonesia's decision to eschew BRICS membership underscores the nation's persistent caution regarding geopolitical alliances and a pragmatic stance on economic advantages.
The reluctance to join BRICS stems from Indonesia's historical apprehension about becoming enmeshed in international alliances with potentially far-reaching implications. The nation has consistently prioritized a balanced foreign policy approach that preserves its sovereignty and non-alignment with any single global power.