This month’s announcement of Indonesia becoming the 10th full BRICS member—the first ASEAN country to do so—has set off waves of speculation about Southeast Asia’s growing alignment with the Global South. 🇮🇩✨ President Prabowo Subianto’s swift approval after taking office signals Jakarta’s confidence in the bloc’s economic promise.
A New ASEAN-BRICS Axis Emerges
Malaysia and Thailand have already accepted BRICS partner status, while Vietnam weighs its invitation. This ‘ASEAN trio’ represents over 70% of the region’s GDP, making their BRICS ties a game-changer for trade frameworks. 🌐💡
Why the Rush to Join?
1️⃣ Trade Diversification: BRICS offers ASEAN nations alternatives to Western-dominated financial systems. 2️⃣ Infrastructure Funding: Access to New Development Bank projects. 3️⃣ Tech Collaboration: Partnerships in green energy and digital economies. 4️⃣ Political Leverage: Unified voice in reshaping global supply chains.
What’s Next for the Global South?
With Nigeria’s recent partner status confirmation and Vietnam’s pending decision, BRICS now connects 4 continents through 10 full members and 16 partners. As one Jakarta-based analyst told us: \"This isn’t just about currency swaps—it’s about rewriting the rules.\" 📈🌍
