Indonesia expresses its desire to joined the BRICS economic association, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said, as quoted by Reuters and BTA.
BRICS leaders met this week in the Russian city of Kazan, and late yesterday the Indonesian ministry said Indonesia's accession process had begun.
"Indonesia joining BRICS is an expression of its independent and active foreign policy. This does not mean that we join any bloc, but that we are active in all forums," said the new Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono.
Indonesia, the fourth most populous country in the world, adheres to neutrality in its foreign policy.
President Prabowo Subianto, who took office on Sunday, has repeatedly stressed that he will make friends with all countries and that Indonesia will not join military blocs.
Sugiono also said that BRICS corresponds to the main policy directions of the Prabowo government, "especially as regards food and energy security, poverty eradication and human resource development".
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that more than 30 countries have expressed a desire to join BRICS, although it is not particularly clear how the expansion will take place.