Indonesia’s membership in BRICS will expand Jakarta’s opportunities for international cooperation and significantly boost the bloc’s status in the global system, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at the opening of an exhibition marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Indonesia.
"I would like to highlight our productive coordination on foreign policy matters, particularly within the United Nations, other international platforms, and the Russia-ASEAN dialogue partnership. Now, this list includes perhaps the most influential and rapidly growing global alliance—BRICS—where Indonesia has become a full-fledged member as of January 1 this year," Lavrov said. "This will greatly enhance Jakarta’s ability to develop international cooperation and, just as importantly, will significantly elevate BRICS’ status and reputation as the true voice of the Global South and the largest Muslim-majority nation in the group."
Lavrov emphasized that Moscow is eager to finalize a free trade agreement between Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) as soon as possible. "We expect that the swift conclusion of a free trade agreement between Indonesia and EAEU member states will give a strong boost to the development of practical ties," he stated.
The minister also noted that Russia sees numerous opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation with Indonesia in energy—particularly in the peaceful use of nuclear power—space exploration, agriculture, and transportation.
"A significant contribution to the diversification of our bilateral cooperation is being made by the Russian-Indonesian Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, and Technical Cooperation and its working groups," Lavrov added.
Exhibition Commemorating 75 Years of Diplomatic Relations
The exhibition showcases photographs and archival documents reflecting the long-standing friendship between Russia and Indonesia. Lavrov and Indonesian Ambassador to Moscow, José Antonio Morato Tavares, toured the exhibition together.
"From the very beginning, our countries’ relations have been distinguished by a high level of trust, mutual respect, and understanding," Lavrov stated. "Over time, they have evolved into strong bonds of friendship across generations in both nations." He recalled that the Soviet Union provided political and economic support to Indonesia and was among the first to recognize it as an independent state. "We hope to soon add photographs of new meetings between our leaders to the archive. We will actively work toward this," he added.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova previously noted that the Soviet Union played a crucial role in Indonesia’s state formation, providing substantial assistance in building its transportation and social infrastructure. She recalled that "in the 1960s, Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno, visited the USSR four times, meeting with Soviet leadership, which also visited the archipelago in return."
"Today, despite serious external challenges, Indonesia remains a close friend and one of Russia’s priority partners in the Asia-Pacific region," Zakharova emphasized. "Political dialogue is actively developing, including at the highest level. Its trust-based and constructive nature was fully confirmed during the talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subianto at the Kremlin in July last year."
Indonesia’s Accession to BRICS
On January 6, Brazil’s Foreign Ministry—holding the BRICS chairmanship since January 1 under the group’s rotational system—confirmed that Indonesia had officially joined BRICS as a full member.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on TASS materials