From the 1965 tragedy to BRICS: Indonesia recovers protagonism in the Global South

Source: Brasil 247 | Original Published At: 2026-09-30 03:06:11 UTC

Key Points

• Indonesia became a full BRICS member in January 2025 after Brazil announced the accession during its BRICS presidency.
• Indonesia's BRICS membership was politically approved at the 2023 Johannesburg summit and formalized after Indonesia's new government took office.
• The article presents Indonesia's BRICS entry as a continuation of the Bandung Conference's principles of sovereignty, non-intervention, equality and cooperation among developing countries.
• It notes that the 1965 political rupture, mass anti-communist repression and Suharto's rise weakened the Bandung-era Global South project and Indonesia's international autonomy.
• Brazil and President Lula are described as framing Indonesia's accession as a step toward deeper South-South cooperation and reform of international governance institutions.
• Indonesia's participation in BRICS is described as a way to amplify the voice of developing countries in global decision-making.