Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally welcomed Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as a full member of BRICS, marking a significant milestone in the group’s expansion, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed during a special media briefing on Sunday at the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil.
Speaking to the media, MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi highlighted that PM Modi conveyed his appreciation to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for the warm hospitality and acknowledged Indonesia’s induction into BRICS with strong support.
“The Prime Minister welcomed the Indonesian President for joining as a full member of BRICS and also appreciated the participation of partner countries in the summit,” Ravi said.
He noted that PM Modi’s presence added significant weight to the summit, especially with India set to assume the BRICS chairmanship in 2026. “President Lula gave particular importance to PM Modi’s participation. Given that India is a founding member of BRICS and will take over the chair next year, the Prime Minister’s visit elevated the summit,” he added.
Key Highlights from the MEA Briefing:
- Busy Schedule: PM Modi participated in three formal summit sessions, held bilateral meetings, and engaged in multiple informal interactions with global leaders.
- Global Context: The summit was held amid rapid geopolitical shifts, with the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”
- Expanded Participation: This year’s BRICS summit witnessed an expanded gathering with 11 permanent members, 9 partner nations, 8 invited countries, and 7 international organisations, making it one of the largest in recent BRICS history.
The Indian Embassy in Indonesia also shared the moment on X, stating, “PM Modi and President Prabowo among world leaders at the BRICS Summit 2025 in Brazil — strengthening India-Indonesia ties on the global stage.”
Indonesia officially joined BRICS as a full member in January 2025, alongside previously inducted countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, marking a pivotal moment in BRICS’ evolution as a more representative voice of the Global South.