On Monday, Brazil’s government announced that Indonesia has been admitted as a full member of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, after expressing its interest in membership late last year.

Brazil, which holds the bloc’s presidency this year, said in a statement that member states had approved Indonesia’s entry by consensus, making it the first nation from Southeast Asia to join the economic grouping.

“The Brazilian government welcomes Indonesia’s entry into the BRICS,” the government said in its statement. “With the largest population and economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia shares with other members a commitment to reforming global governance institutions and contributes positively to deepening South-South cooperation.”

Indonesia’s foreign ministry said in a statement yesterday that it welcomed the Brazilian government’s announcement and described BRICS membership as “a strategic way to increase collaboration and partnership with other developing nations.”

The BRICS grouping, named after its core members – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – has........

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