INTERNATIONAL – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto made his inaugural appearance at the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro in July 2025, marking Indonesia’s formal entry as the first Southeast Asian full member of the group. His attendance underscores Jakarta’s mission to expand influence on the global stage, guided by his long-held foreign policy mantra: “a thousand friends, zero enemies”.
Prabowo used the summit as a platform to reaffirm Indonesia’s commitment to multilateral reform, support Palestinian independence, and reject double standards—positions he emphasized reflect the ethos of the 1955 Bandung Conference. Domestic officials have described Indonesia’s BRICS membership as emblematic of its “free and active” diplomacy, aiming to amplify South‑South cooperation while preserving strategic autonomy, as cited from The Straits Times 10 June 2025.
Analysts suggest, however, that this shift invites heightened scrutiny of Indonesia’s relations with both ASEAN and its long-standing Western partners. Concerns have arisen that Prabowo’s focus on BRICS may overshadow ASEAN unity, dialing back Indonesia’s regional leadership role just as major powers vie for influence in Southeast Asia . Critics argue that Prabowo appears driven by ambition more than strategic coherence, raising questions about the symbolic gains versus concrete results from BRICS membership.
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Meanwhile, Prabowo must also balance mounting uncertainties with the United States. U.S. President‑elect Donald Trump has threatened up to 100% tariffs on countries aligned with BRICS, especially if they pursue joint alternatives to the U.S. dollar. Local legal experts warn that Indonesia may face trade disruption or loss of privileges if its BRICS engagement is seen as antagonistic.
Those close to the government emphasize that the U.S. has signalled understanding of Indonesia’s rationale—Indonesia held discussions with U.S. officials to clarify its position, and maintains active participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, OECD accession plans, and the Critical Mineral Alliance. Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto has stressed that Washington was briefed on Prabowo’s motivations and continues to support Indonesia’s expanding global role.
Economic analysts caution, however, that the practical benefits of joining BRICS may be limited. While the bloc presents opportunities in sectors like palm oil and nickel, China’s dominance within BRICS could stifle Indonesia’s leverage and expose it to dependency risks.
As Indonesia navigates deeper BRICS engagement, resident ASEAN relationships and Washington’s response will be closely watched. Prabowo’s ability to maintain a non‑aligned posture, reassure ASEAN partners, and avoid economic fallout from the U.S. will determine whether this strategic gamble advances Indonesia’s global ambitions—or disrupts its traditional regional and Western ties.
