Jakarta. Indonesia’s “partner country” status to BRICS means that Jakarta is undergoing a probation period before it can finally become an official member,  according to a Russian diplomat.

The newly established Prabowo Subianto government recently announced that Indonesia would pursue a seat at BRICS. Just a few days ago, BRICS -- whose members include China and Russia -- made Indonesia as one of its “partner countries” at its Kazan summit. Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov said Monday that any nation wishing to join BRICS now had to gain the “partner country” status first. This probation-like process lets BRICS members see whether they are fit to be part of the alliance.

“The [partner country] status is an intermediate step [before a state] can become a full-fledged member,” Tolcheno told the press in Jakarta.

BRICS initially brought together Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, hence its name. BRICS later welcomed new members Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Saudi Arabia has yet to formalize its membership despite having received the invitation to join. President Prabowo sent Foreign Minister Sugiono to attend the Kazan Summit on the latter’s first overseas ministerial trip. It was also then that Sugiono unveiled Indonesia’s intent to join BRICS.  Tolchenov said that the partner country mechanism would make it easier for the now-enlarged alliance to make decisions on new memberships. 

“[The process of accepting] full-fledged members has become more complicated. BRICS now have to accommodate the activities within the framework of 10 countries, not the 5 initial countries. That’s why BRICS decided to introduce the option of countries becoming a partner state [with hopes] they can eventually be full members,” Tolchenov said.

According to Tolchenov, the entire partner country process also does not have a specific timetable or deadline.

Indonesia’s pursuit of a BRICS membership became the first major diplomatic move out of the nascent Prabowo government. This also marked quite a development, considering that Indonesia under former President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was still weighing the pros and cons of joining BRICS. Indonesia to date has not set a target when they were aiming to get admitted to BRICS. Sugiono at the time said that Indonesia’s membership bid could give Indonesia more room to promote the interests of the so-called Global South, a term that commonly refers to developing nations.

“It’s my pleasure as the special envoy of the Indonesian president to announce Indonesia’s intention to join BRICS and become its member. By doing so, Indonesia will be able to better support BRICS’ efforts to advance the causes and interests of the Global South. And also while contributing to the maintenance of a world order based on freedom, lasting peace, and social justice,” Sugiono told the Kazan summit on Friday.

In a press statement, Sugiono said that the BRICS membership did not mean Indonesia is changing its long-standing “free and active” foreign policy of not taking sides. Sugiono said that BRICS’ priorities -- such as food security and poverty eradication -- were in line with the programs under Prabowo’s Merah Putih (“Red and White”) cabinet.