In a landmark diplomatic moment at the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally welcomed Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto into the BRICS alliance as a full member. The development marks a significant expansion of the multilateral grouping and reflects India’s rising influence in shaping global governance frameworks.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement on Monday (Indian time), highlighted the Prime Minister’s active participation and India’s pivotal role in the evolving geopolitical landscape. Speaking at a special media briefing, Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA, said, “The Prime Minister thanked President Lula for his warm hospitality and welcomed the Indonesian President for joining BRICS as a full member.”
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto also expressed his commitment to global cooperation via a post on X (formerly Twitter). He stated, “With the theme ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,’ I, along with leaders of member countries, discussed current global challenges and explored collective strategies to bolster the role and solidarity of the Global South.”
President Subianto affirmed Indonesia’s continued dedication to promoting equitable international partnerships, especially in the areas of economy, finance, education, and technology—core pillars of BRICS dialogue. “This commitment aligns with the fundamental objectives of BRICS, which focus on fortifying multilateralism to ensure long-term global prosperity,” he added.
Dammu Ravi emphasized the importance of Prime Minister Modi’s presence at the summit, noting how Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva placed “immense value” on the Indian leader’s participation. “The Prime Minister’s visit elevated the entire summit. His presence is especially crucial as India is set to assume the BRICS chairmanship in 2026,” Ravi said.
India, as a founding member of BRICS, continues to shape the bloc’s strategic direction. This year’s summit, held under the theme ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Governance’, comes at a time of sweeping global transformations and shifting power dynamics.
Ravi noted that the scale of participation reflected the growing stature of the BRICS grouping. The summit featured an expanded format with participation from 11 permanent members, nine partner countries, eight invited nations, and seven heads of international organizations.
“This two-day summit assumes significant importance in the context of fast-changing global developments,” Ravi concluded, underscoring the critical role BRICS plays in representing emerging economies and advocating for a more balanced global order.
