Specifics of BRICS Expansion into Southeast Asia

As of January 2025, Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS, while two other Southeast Asian countries - Malaysia and 'Thailand - have acquired the status of partner states within the organization. This development raises important questions: what motivated these countries to align themselves with an international bloc representing the interests of the Global South, and what risks might such a decision entail? These questions form the core of the analysis presented in this article. Despite broadly similar positions among Southeast Asian countries regarding BRICS, distinct national considerations necessitate a case-specific approach. Accordingly, the article ex-amines Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand separately to explore the unique domestic and geopolitical factors that shaped their respective decisions. This approach enables a more nuanced understanding of the incentives and strategic calculations behind their engagement with the bloc, which is viewed as a vehicle for securing additional economic benefits through expanded cooperation with other developing economies. Equally important to them is the geopolitical dimension of the bloc, with its aspirations to reshape the global order. The desire to adapt to the evolving geopolitical landscape and seize emerging opportunities drives Southeast Asian countries to seek membership in BRICS. In their view, joining the bloc offers a dual advantage - preserving strategic autonomy while enhancing their influence in global decision-making. In Indonesia and Malaysia, this stance is largely shaped by the personal ambitions of their leaders, who aspire to play a prominent role on the international stage and serve as a voice for developing nations. However, the long-term benefits of BRICS membership come with significant risks. These include potential strains in relations with developed economies - primarily the United States and the European Union - both of which are crucial trade partners and key sources of investment. Additionally, deeper dependence on China, could fuel anti-Chinese sentiment domestically, potentially undermining Indonesia and Malaysia's reputations as non-aligned states seeking to hedge between the competing interests of the U.S. and China. According to the author, ensuring long-term economic prosperity and geopolitical stability requires, Southeast Asian countries to carefully navigate their engagements with-in BRICS while maintaining balanced relations beyond the bloc.

1. Han Guo Xiong (2024). Malaysia's Bid for Membership of BRICS: Optimism and Uncertainties. RSIS Commentary (S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies). October 3, no. 079, 4 pp.

2. Hoang Thi Ha, Cha Hae Won (2024). Southeast Asia and the Global South: Rhetoric and Reality. ISEAS Perspective (Yusof Ishak Institute). June 14, no. 45, 17 pp.

3. Hutagalung S. (2024a). Indonesia and BRICS: Should Indonesia Join or Not? Eurasia Review. September 6. Available at: https://www.eurasiareview.com/06092024-indonesia-and-brics-should-indonesia-join-or-not-analysis/, accessed 10.02.2025.

4. Hutagalung S. (2024b). Indonesia's Interest in Joining BRICS: Pursuing Economic Security and Global Influence. Analysis. Eurasia Review. October 26. Available at: https://www.eurasiareview.com/26102024-indonesias-interest-in-joining-brics-pursuing-economic-security-and-global-influence-analysis, accessed 10.02.2025.

5. Jefferson Ng, Utaryo Santiko (2023). Is Indonesia about to Join BRICS? RSIS Commentary (S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies). August 11, no. 057, 4 pp.

6. Jürgen R. (2023). Why Indonesia chose autonomy over BRICS membership. East Asia Forum. 25 October. Available at: https://eastasiaforum.org/2023/10/25/why-indonesia-chose-autonomy-over-brics-membership, accessed 10.02.2025.

7. Lanti Irman G. (2023). Political Islam in Indonesia: Impact of Current Israel-Hamas War in Gaza. RSIS Commentary (S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies). 28 November, no. 172, 3 pp.

8. Lissovolik Ya.D. (2023). BRICS-PLUS: The New Force in Global Governance. Journal of International Analytics. Vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 138-148. DOI: 10.46272/2587-8476-2023-14-1-138-148.

9. Mohd Faiz Abdullah (2024). Malaysia's BRICS bid to build on its allegiance to ASEAN. East Asia Forum. 18 August. Available at: https://eastasiaforum.org/2024/08/18/malaysias-brics-bid-to-build-on-its-allegiance-to-asean/, accessed 10.02.2025.

10. Pandu Utama Manggala (2025). Indonesia's bold step into BRICS and beyond. East Asia Forum. 4 February. Available at: https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/02/04/indonesias-bold-step-into-brics-and-be-yond, accessed 10.02.2025.

11. Rogozhina N.G. (2021). The Countries of Southeast Asia and The Chinese Initiative Belt and Road: A Model of Interaction. World Economy and International Relations. Vol. 65, no. 10, pp. 91-102 (in Russian). DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2021-65-10-91-102.

12. Rogozhina N.G. (2024). The Position of the Southeast Asian Countries on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Southeast Asia: Current Development Issue. Vol. 1, no. 1 (62), pp. 36-46 (in Russian). DOI: 10.31696/2072-8271-2024-1-1-62-036-046.

13. Rogozhina N.G., Rogozhin A.A. (2019). Economic Presence of China in Southeast Asia as A Condition for Promoting “Soft Power” Policy. World Economy and Inter-national Relations. Vol. 63, no. 4, pp. 40-49 (in Russian). DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2019-63-4-40-49.

14. Rogozhina N.G., Rogozhin A.A. (2024). Southeast Asia and the USA: Parameters of Interaction. World Economy and International Relations. Vol. 68, no. 1, pp. 105-118 (in Russian). DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2024-68-1-105-119.

15. Sarang Shidore (2024). Southeast Asia in BRICS Is Good for the Global Order. Foreign Policy. July 4. Available at: https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/07/04/brics-southeast-asia-thailand-malaysia-russia-china/, accessed 10.02.2025.

16. Sharon Seah (2024). Southwest Asia and BRICS: Fear of Missling Out. FUL-CRUM. 9 July. Available at: https://ful-crum.sg/southeast-asia-and-brics-fear-of-missing-out, accessed 10.02.2025.

17. Xu Jingzhi (2024). Malaysia's BRICS Bid: Not Aligning Away from Non-Align-ment. FULLCRUM. 5 September. Available at: https://fulcrum.sg/malaysias-brics-bid-not-aligning-away-from-non-alignment/, accessed 10.02.2025.

18. West J. (2023). Indonesia's Quest to Join the OECD and Become a High-Income Country. East Asia Forum. 10 September. Available at: https://eastasiaforum.org/2023/09/10/indonesias-quest-to-join-the-oecd-and-become-a-high-income-country/, accessed 10.02.2025.