PM Modi Welcomes Indonesia’s Formal Induction as Full BRICS Member at 17th Summit

During the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially embraced Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as a full-fledged member of the BRICS bloc.

This announcement accentuates India's growing clout in international diplomacy and its position at the forefront of shaping influential multilateral forums.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) marked this achievement on Monday (IST), hailing India's growing international reputation. Addressing a special media briefing, Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations) at the MEA, said, "The Prime Minister thanked President Lula for his warm hospitality and welcomed the Indonesian President for joining BRICS as a full member."

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto also expressed his thoughts about the summit through X (formerly Twitter). He posted, "With the theme 'Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,' I, along with members states' leaders, discussed several global issues presently being addressed, while developing cooperative strategies aimed at strengthening the role and unity of Southern nations in the future."

He again reiterated Indonesia's dedication to inclusive and fair global development, declaring, "Indonesia is dedicated to ongoing efforts in promoting fair and inclusive global cooperation as well as advancing national interests in the economy, finance, education, and technology. This is in line with the core priorities of BRICS talks, which focus on consolidating the multilateral system to realize sustainable prosperity on the global stage."

Dammu Ravi highlighted the importance of Prime Minister Modi’s presence at the summit, noting that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva greatly appreciated his attendance. “The Prime Minister’s visit elevated the entire summit. It reflects the value President Lula placed on India’s role and the fact that India will take over the chair next year. PM Modi’s participation assumes greater significance and importance, given that background,” he remarked.

India, being a founding member of BRICS, is set to take the chairmanship of the bloc in 2026. The presence of Prime Minister Modi was particularly symbolic, especially in the context of the changing world order.

Hosted with the theme 'Strengthening Global South Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Governance', the summit took place amid significant geopolitical realignments. "This two-day summit takes on immense significance against the backdrop of rapid-accelerating global developments," Ravi noted.

This year's BRICS summit witnessed a larger and more varied attendance, highlighting the collective's growing significance in the international arena. The forum attracted 11 permanent members, nine partner countries, eight guest nations, and seven heads of international bodies, reflecting the bloc's widened reach and popularity, says Ravi.