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Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1

Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between

Global and Regional Organizations

December 2025

286

DANCING WITH GIANTS: INDONESIA AND ITS INCLUSIVE APPROACH IN THE

INDO-PACIFIC AFTER BRICS ACCEPTANCE

MANSUR JUNED

mansurjuned@upnvj.ac.id

Associate Professor in International Relations at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran

Jakarta (Indonesia) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0386-7676

MOHAMAD HERY SARIPUDIN

mohamad.hery.saripudin@unpad.ac.id

Assistant Professor in International Relations at Universitas Padjadjaran (Indonesia).

Senior Indonesian Diplomat and Former Ambassador to Kenya, https://orcid.org/0009-0005-

4506-888X

Abstract

The growing multipolarity in global politics has prompted emerging powers to utilise regional

and international organisations as strategic tools to navigate major power rivals. This article

investigates how Indonesia uses an inclusive approach in the Indo-Pacific through its

membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and BRICS and its

membership proposal for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

(OECD) amid the intensifying rivalry between the United States and China in the Indo-Pacific

region. This study addresses the key question of how Indonesia capitalises on ASEAN

leadership and BRICS membership to enhance its OECD membership proposal and geopolitical

standing. The investigation is anchored on neorealism in analysing regional power dynamics

in the Indo-Pacific as Indonesia’s response through its inclusive approach. This study

employed qualitative research methods. The findings suggest that Indonesia’s foreign policy

doctrine of Bebas Aktif (independent and active) is not only aligned with, but also acts as a

pivotal influence on ASEAN’s inclusivity principles under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific

(AOIP). Under these circumstances, Indonesia and other ASEAN members (AMS) engage in

soft economic alliances, including BRICS and OECD, as a balancing act between the US and

China. Additionally, Indonesia’s BRICS membership enhances its bargaining power to pursue

OECD membership, while maintaining cooperative relationships with the United States and its

allies. This study contributes to understanding how emerging powers exercise dual alignment

as a balancing act by using multilateral platforms to assert their influence and achieve

strategic objectives in a multipolar world.

Keywords

Indonesia, Indo-Pacific, ASEAN, BRICS, OECD, Neorealism, Multipolarity, US-China Rivalry,

Bebas Aktif.

Resumo

A crescente multipolaridade na política global levou as potências emergentes a utilizar

organizações regionais e internacionais como ferramentas estratégicas para lidar com as

principais potências rivais. Este artigo investiga como a Indonésia utiliza uma abordagem

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1

Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between Global and Regional Organizations

December 2025, pp. 286-301

Dancing with Giants: Indonesia and its Inclusive Approach

in the Indo-Pacific after BRICS Acceptance

Mansur Juned, Mohamad Hery Saripudin

287

inclusiva no Indo-Pacífico através da sua adesão à Associação das Nações do Sudeste Asiático

(ASEAN) e ao BRICS, bem como da sua proposta de adesão à Organização para a Cooperação

e Desenvolvimento Económico (OCDE), num contexto de rivalidade crescente entre os Estados

Unidos e a China na região do Indo-Pacífico. Este estudo aborda a questão fundamental de

como a Indonésia capitaliza a liderança da ASEAN e a adesão ao BRICS para reforçar a sua

proposta de adesão à OCDE e a sua posição geopolítica. A investigação baseia-se no

neorrealismo para analisar a dinâmica do poder regional no Indo-Pacífico como resposta da

Indonésia através da sua abordagem inclusiva. Este estudo utilizou métodos de investigação

qualitativos. As conclusões sugerem que a doutrina de política externa da Indonésia, Bebas

Aktif (independente e ativa), não só está alinhada com os princípios de inclusão da ASEAN no

âmbito da Visão da ASEAN sobre o Indo-Pacífico (AOIP), como também exerce uma influência

fundamental sobre os mesmos. Nestas circunstâncias, a Indonésia e outros membros da

ASEAN (AMS) envolvem-se em alianças económicas suaves, incluindo o BRICS e a OCDE,

como um ato de equilíbrio entre os EUA e a China. Além disso, a adesão da Indonésia ao

BRICS aumenta o seu poder de negociação para buscar a adesão à OCDE, mantendo relações

de cooperação com os Estados Unidos e seus aliados. Este estudo contribui para a

compreensão de como as potências emergentes exercem o duplo alinhamento como um ato

de equilíbrio, usando plataformas multilaterais para afirmar a sua influência e alcançar

objetivos estratégicos em um mundo multipolar.

Palavras-chave

Indonésia, Indo-Pacífico, ASEAN, BRICS, OCDE, Neorrealismo, Multipolaridade, Rivalidade

EUA-China, Bebas Aktif.

How to cite this article

Juned, Mansur & Saripudin, Mohamad Hery (2025). Dancing with Giants: Indonesia and its

Inclusive Approach in the Indo-Pacific after BRICS Acceptance. Janus.net, e-journal of international

relations. Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between Global and Regional Organizations,

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1, December 2025, pp. 286-301. https://doi.org/10.26619/1647-

7251.DT0525.15

Article submitted on 31st May 2025 and accepted for publication on 02nd September

2025.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1

Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between Global and Regional Organizations

December 2025, pp. 286-301

Dancing with Giants: Indonesia and its Inclusive Approach

in the Indo-Pacific after BRICS Acceptance

Mansur Juned, Mohamad Hery Saripudin

288

DANCING WITH GIANTS: INDONESIA AND ITS INCLUSIVE

APPROACH IN THE INDO-PACIFIC AFTER BRICS ACCEPTANCE

MANSUR JUNED

MOHAMAD HERY SARIPUDIN

Introduction

The 21st century is characterized by a global power shift from the Trans-Atlantic to the

Indo-Pacific, as well as a shift in the global power dynamic towards a multipolar

international system amid the decline of the rise of China, challenging the hegemonic

power of the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) as the winner of the Cold

War (Mearsheimer, 2014). This shift presents both opportunities and challenges for

middle powers in the Indo-Pacific as the paramount stage of the intensifying rivalry

between the US and the People's Republic of China (Bisley, 2020; White, 2010). In this

context, middle powers, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, must recalculate their strategic

alignment amid dynamic power shifts not only between the two superpowers of the US

and China but also with international organisations. This is essential not only to survive

in terms of the realist perspective but also to amplify their influence, safeguard their

interests, and maintain strategic autonomy (Abbondanza, 2022; Chaisse & Hsieh, 2023;

Cooper & Flemes, 2013; Juned & Sutiono, 2024).

Emerging powers, such as Indonesia, particularly those situated in strategically vital

regions, such as Southeast Asia, find themselves at the confluence of these great power

dynamics. They face the dual challenge of navigating the pressures emanating from

major power competition while simultaneously seeking opportunities to enhance their

geopolitical standing and pursue their national interests. In this context, regional and

international organisations have become increasingly important. These multilateral

platforms offer avenues for dialogue, cooperation, and the collective assertion of

interests, providing smaller and middle powers with mechanisms to amplify their voices

and manage the complexities of a multipolar world (Abbondanza, 2022; Acharya, 2014;

Juned & Sutiono, 2024).

Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy and a key archipelagic nation, is a

prominent example of an emerging power actively shaping its regional environment. Its

foreign policy tradition, encapsulated in the doctrine of Bebas Aktif (independent and

active), emphasises a non-aligned yet proactive approach to international affairs (Anwar,

2020; Dannhauer, 2024). This doctrine has historically guided Indonesia's engagement

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1

Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between Global and Regional Organizations

December 2025, pp. 286-301

Dancing with Giants: Indonesia and its Inclusive Approach

in the Indo-Pacific after BRICS Acceptance

Mansur Juned, Mohamad Hery Saripudin

289

with the world, including its foundational role in the Association of Southeast Asia Nations

(ASEAN). More recently, Indonesia's strategic calculation embraced membership in the

BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with newly invited

members) amid its pursuit of accession to the Organization for Economic Co-operation

and Development (OECD), as well as the US’s negative sentiment towards members of

the BRICS (Martin, 2025; Takahashi, 2024). Previously, Abbondanza (2022) and Juned

& Setiono (2024) argue that Indonesia incorporates pragmatism in its contemporary

application of Bebas Aktif, nuanced in an inclusive approach that allows it to actively

engage with diverse economic cooperation with diverse actors, which is well reflected in

its approach to the US-China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific as well as the recently agreed

EUI-CEPA agreement with the EU.

With further development by 2025, Indonesia was officially accepted as a member of

BRICS on 6th January 2025 (Shofa, 2025). This milestone marks a new chapter in the

nation's approach to navigating the complexities of the Indo-Pacific region, particularly

in the context of its long-standing Bebas Aktif doctrine to ‘dance with the giants’ in the

Indo-Pacific region. His new affiliation does not signify a shift away from Indonesia's non-

aligned principles but rather an evolution of its strategy to actively engage with influential

global actors to promote its interests and contribute to regional stability in the dynamic

Indo-Pacific landscape. In this regard, Indonesia translates the doctrine of ‘Bebas Aktif’

into active engagement with two distinct global economic governance structures rather

than being passive by not joining any economic regimes as a form of its strategic

evolution of the non-alignment doctrine (Juned & Sutiono, 2024).

Indonesia is also pursuing permanent membership in the OECD, which is perceived as a

Euro-American economic regime that promotes its economic standards (Maulana & Azis,

2025; Strangio, 2024). We perceive that it will generate further challenges for Indonesia

in the coming years to strategically leverage its BRICS membership in its proposal to join

the OECD and strengthen its position and inclusive approach in the region. In this regard,

while BRICS membership opens opportunities for trade expansion and alternative

funding, it will also attract opposition from the US and its allies towards Indonesia. In a

recent case, Indonesia’s BRICS membership has generated extra tariffs from the Trump

administration-led US protectionist policy (Martin, 2025). On the other hand, the

finalisation of the long-postponed EUI-CEPA shortly after Indonesia joined BRICS displays

the opposing effect of how BRICS membership became its leverage to overcome the

deadlock in the EUI-CEPA negotiation (Juned & Sutiono, 2024; Kementerian Luar Negeri

Republik Indonesia, 2025). These two examples represent the challenges Indonesia faces

in managing uncertainty amid the different interests and calculations of the related

actors.

In this regard, we perceive that the discussion on how Indonesia utilises the BRICS

membership as leverage for the OECD membership proposal, as well as navigating the

Indo-Pacific’s dynamics, cannot be separated from the Association of Southeast Asia

Nations (ASEAN)’s position in the region. In this regard, Indonesia, as a founder and

dominant power in ASEAN, has powerful influences on regional organisations due to its

population, GDP, and pivotal roles in shaping the official regional perspective of the Indo-

Pacific region with the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) (Anwar, 2020). Recently,

Indonesia became the first ASEAN country to be accepted into BRICS and was also

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1

Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between Global and Regional Organizations

December 2025, pp. 286-301

Dancing with Giants: Indonesia and its Inclusive Approach

in the Indo-Pacific after BRICS Acceptance

Mansur Juned, Mohamad Hery Saripudin

290

proposed for OECD membership (Shofa, 2025). Utilising ASEAN is essential in the power

dynamics of the Indo-Pacific as it represents the major powers in the region without a

hard alignment with either the US or China (Abbondanza, 2022; Chaisse & Hsieh, 2023).

We perceive that Indonesia is leveraging its dominant influence in ASEAN to maximise

the potential benefits of its inclusive approach to Indo-Pacific power dynamics and its

proposal to join the OECD after its BRICS membership is accepted.

This study investigates how Indonesia utilises its leadership within ASEAN and its

newfound membership in BRICS as leverage in the context of the OECD proposal amid

the US-China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific. It seeks to answer the central research question:

How does Indonesia utilise its position in BRICS as a power leverage in its bid for OECD

membership amid the US-China rivalry? By adopting a neorealist theoretical lens and

employing qualitative research methods, this study analyses Indonesia's diplomatic

manoeuvring and its implications for regional stability and the broader international order

(the West). This article argues that Indonesia strategically aligns its Bebas Aktif principle

with ASEAN's inclusive framework, notably the AOIP, to foster diverse economic

partnerships, including with BRICS and potentially with the OECD, thereby mitigating the

pressure of great power competition. Furthermore, BRICS membership is posited as a

tool to enhance Indonesia's bargaining position in its OECD aspirations while seeking to

maintain constructive ties with the US and its allies.

Literature Review

Neorealism, or structural realism, posits that the anarchic nature of the international

system is the primary determinant of state behaviour (Waltz, 1979). States, as rational

and unitary actors, prioritise their survival and security in self-help systems. Power,

primarily in material terms, is the key currency, and states constantly assess the balance

of power to ensure their security (Mearsheimer, 2001). Although classical realism and

neorealism agree on the state of anarchy between states, neorealism emphasises the

systemic level of anarchy as the main determinant of state actions.

Neorealism has two distinct variants of offensive and defensive neorealism on perceiving

how nation-states should act in an anarchical system (Juned & Sutiono, 2024). Offensive

neorealism posits that under the system of anarchy, states should actively pursue relative

power as an ultimate guarantee of survival instead of being defensive and waiting for

alignment initiation from others. In this regard, this study uses Mearsheimer's offensive

neorealism, which suggests that states seek to maximise their relative power to ensure

survival, often through alliance formation and institutional participation (Mearsheimer,

2001). This perspective is essential for explaining Indonesia's strategic use of multilateral

platforms to enhance its bargaining power amid the Indo-Pacific’s shifting power

dynamics. These actions are preceded by rational calculations to enhance security in a

self-help world.

Indonesia's strategic engagement with multilateral platforms can be understood as a

unique case of offensive realism, in which a middle power pursues its interests by

initiating a dual alignment strategy for both superpowers rather than passively choosing

one of the available alignments offered by the superpowers. By actively participating in

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e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1

Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between Global and Regional Organizations

December 2025, pp. 286-301

Dancing with Giants: Indonesia and its Inclusive Approach

in the Indo-Pacific after BRICS Acceptance

Mansur Juned, Mohamad Hery Saripudin

291

these organisations and using their membership as leverage, Indonesia strategically

aimed to amplify its bargaining power over the superpowers and other middle powers of

the region. This approach has allowed Indonesia to navigate complex Indo-Pacific power

dynamics while preserving its strategic approach based on Bebas Aktif. In this regard,

Indonesia uses multilateralism as a tool to advance its interests and ensure its security

in a competitive international environment, instead of the use of bilateralism, which is

not only less effective but also attracts biased perceptions from other actors. This

strategic deployment of institutional participation underscores a calculated effort to

maximise influence and maintain freedom of action, aligning with the core principles of

offensive realism.

Indonesia's inclusive approach can be seen as a power balancing act aimed at mitigating

vulnerabilities while maximising opportunities in a polarised Indo-Pacific system

dominated by the US and China. Middle powers, such as Indonesia, can engage in power

balancing with systemic powers. This involves strategic acts that are proportional to their

capabilities and circumstances (Abbondanza, 2022). However, the inclusive approach has

a different meaning than a balanced approach, as it focuses more on how Indonesia, as

an actor in the regional structure, opens itself to cooperation with diverse actors

according to existing circumstances rather than rigidly balancing itself, which would be

difficult to calculate precisely.

In a multipolar system, such as the one emerging today, the distribution of power is

more diffuse, with several major poles of influence. This can lead to more complex

alliance patterns and potentially greater instability as states manoeuvre for advantage

(Waltz, 1979). Neorealism suggests that emerging powers such as Indonesia seek to

maximise their relative power and security. One way to achieve this is through strategic

engagement with international and regional organisations. While neorealism traditionally

views international institutions as secondary to power politics and often reflects the

interests of great powers, they can also serve as arenas for balancing, signalling, and

enhancing a state's influence (Mearsheimer, 1994).

For middle or emerging powers, these institutions can serve as tools to achieve several

strategic objectives. First, aggregate power by forming coalitions or blocs: less powerful

states can collectively exert greater influence than they can individually exert. Second,

the Great Powers were constrained by the norms and rules within institutions. Third,

enhancing status and legitimacy by achieving membership and leadership roles in

recognised organisations can bolster a state's international standing. Fourth, diversifying

dependencies by engaging with multiple platforms reduces reliance on a single source of

power, thereby increasing strategic autonomy.

Indonesia's engagement with ASEAN, BRICS, and its pursuit of OECD membership can

be interpreted through this neorealist lens as a strategic move to navigate the pressures

of the US-China rivalry, enhance its own security and influence, and maintain its

"independent and active" foreign policy stance in a system where power considerations

remain paramount.

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e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1

Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between Global and Regional Organizations

December 2025, pp. 286-301

Dancing with Giants: Indonesia and its Inclusive Approach

in the Indo-Pacific after BRICS Acceptance

Mansur Juned, Mohamad Hery Saripudin

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Research Methodology

This study employs a qualitative investigation to thoroughly examine Indonesia's

strategic engagement with ASEAN, BRICS, and its membership proposal for the OECD

within the complex dynamics of the ongoing strategic competition between the United

States and China in the Indo-Pacific. By employing a qualitative research approach, this

study constructs a robust framework for the nuanced exploration of intricate geopolitics

and geoeconomics phenomena. This approach is essential for a deep understanding of

the underlying motivations and strategic calculations that guide Indonesia’s actions in

navigating the complexities of a shifting global order. In this regard, Bryman (2016)

argues that qualitative methodologies provide rich contextual understanding and in-

depth insights into the social and political processes under study, making them relevant

for investigating Indonesia's strategic manoeuvring in the Indo-Pacific. This research

uses a wide range of qualitative data derived from policy documents, official statements,

news coverage, and academic documents to provide a comprehensive understanding of

Indonesia's inclusive approach.

This research uses diverse primary and secondary data in its investigation. The primary

data sources in this research are relevant official government documents, statements,

and reports from international organisations such as ASEAN, BRICS, and OECD.

Furthermore, this research employs secondary data sources from academic literature,

journal articles, and books, as well as reputable news analysis and commentaries. The

data were selected based on their relevance and recency to the research topic. In

selecting the data source, source bias and data source reflexivity, as well as the authors’

reflexivity, were considered and acknowledged.

Furthermore, this study employs data triangulation from diverse data sources as the

foundation for answering the research question and drawing conclusions. Data

triangulation is essential to ensure the validity of the data amid potential bias due to data

source reflexivity. Triangulation is also essential as the foundation of the analysis and

drawing of research conclusions. This approach enables a rigorous examination of

Indonesia’s balancing act within the broader geopolitical context, facilitating a nuanced

analysis of the interplay between Indonesia’s strategic interests, regional power

structures, and institutionalism (Creswell & Creswell, 2023).

Findings and Discussion

Indonesia's Foreign Policy: Bebas Aktif and ASEAN Centrality in Indo-

Pacific

Bebas Aktif is the principal doctrine of Indonesia's foreign policy since its early

independence amid the Cold War. Bebas (independent) signifies Indonesia's refusal to

align with any global power block during the Cold War, while Aktif (active) underscores

its commitment to proactively engage in the promotion and protection of world peace

and justice (Anwar, 2020; Leifer, 1983). In the contemporary era, the implementation

of Bebas Aktif has become more relevant and important as Indonesia's strategic

environment in the Indo-Pacific has become the centre tenet of the global political

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e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1

Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between Global and Regional Organizations

December 2025, pp. 286-301

Dancing with Giants: Indonesia and its Inclusive Approach

in the Indo-Pacific after BRICS Acceptance

Mansur Juned, Mohamad Hery Saripudin

293

economy, characterised by the rivalry between the US and China (Anwar, 2020; Juned

& Sutiono, 2024).

To navigate this power shift, the role of ASEAN, which has been the cornerstone of

Indonesia’s foreign policy since its establishment, became pivotal. As a founding member

and the largest nation in the bloc, Indonesia has an essential leadership role in influencing

the rules and norms within the regional organisation, including managing regional affairs

and engaging with external powers (Haacke, 2005). In this regard, Indonesia’s centrality

in ASEAN is also well reflected in the fact that the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) is located

in Jakarta, Indonesia, and in the formulation of the AOIP, which is also based on the

Bebas Aktif foreign policy doctrine. This commitment is driven by the understanding that

a stable and prosperous Southeast Asia is crucial to Indonesia’s security and

development.

Under President Joko Widodo's leadership (2014-2024), Indonesia adopted a more

proactive and confident stance in its foreign policy engagements, a notable shift, while

steadily adhering to its long-standing principle of non-alignment (Connelly, 2014;

Irsadanar, 2023). Furthermore, under President Prabowo Subianto from 2024 to the

present, Indonesia has tried to expand its influence as an official member of BRICS using

the same approach as Bebas Aktif’s foreign policy. Regardless of the actual evolution of

the Bebas Aktif implementation, which is becoming more pragmatic, Indonesia remains

consistent with this approach, including in the formulation of the AOIP, which has become

the ASEAN main principle of inclusivity amid the power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.

Through the AOIP, Indonesia, through ASEAN, promotes regional cooperation and

stability based on inclusivity and leverages its influential position to foster dialogue and

address shared challenges. Indonesia is scaling up this approach beyond ASEAN by

actively participating in multilateral forums and constructively contributing to the global

discourse. This enhanced international standing allowed Indonesia to play a prominent

role in shaping regional norms and contributing to a balanced and inclusive Indo-Pacific

order.

The AOIP, adopted in 2019, can be perceived as a manifestation of Bebas Aktif in a

regional context that promotes inclusivity in the Indo-Pacific amid the tendency of

polarisation (ASEAN, 2024). The AOIP emphasises principles such as inclusivity, dialogue,

cooperation, and respect for international law, seeking to create an open and rule-based

regional architecture to act as a bridge for the contesting powers of the region. It

explicitly rejects the vision of a single superpower’s dominion over the Indo-Pacific and

instead promotes ASEAN-led mechanisms as a fulcrum for regional engagement. In the

greater context, the AOIP's emphasis on inclusivity leverages the implementation of

Indonesia's Bebas Aktif doctrine, allowing Indonesia to proactively engage in strategic

alignment with the US and China without the obligation to engage in hard alignment.

This framework enables ASEAN members, including Indonesia, to pursue soft economic

alignment and diverse partnerships using their inclusivity-based foreign policy as

bargaining power.

Using this approach, Indonesia constructively engages with both the US-based IPEF and

China's Belt and Road Initiative without choosing sides. This approach is in line with the

AOIP's four key areas of cooperation–maritime cooperation, connectivity, sustainable

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e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1

Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between Global and Regional Organizations

December 2025, pp. 286-301

Dancing with Giants: Indonesia and its Inclusive Approach

in the Indo-Pacific after BRICS Acceptance

Mansur Juned, Mohamad Hery Saripudin

294

development goals, and economic cooperation–that allow engagement with diverse

partners (ASEAN, 2019). In this regard, Indonesia has demonstrated its inclusive

approach to the Indo-Pacific by remaining cooperative with the tariff demands from the

US and finalising the EUI CEPA with the EU following its BRICS acceptance (Juned &

Sutiono, 2024). In the larger context, the AOIP, through its four primary areas of

cooperation, also offers concrete avenues for collaboration with a wide array of regional

and global partners, such as the AMS’ dual proposal towards BRICS and OECD.

The Rise of BRICS and Indonesia's Strategic Engagement

The BRICS economic bloc, which was initially coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim

O'Neill, has significantly evolved into a global economic bloc challenging the US-led

economic regimes since its formation in 2001(Goldman Sachs, 2001). It represents the

Global South’s collective aspiration to reshape aspects of global governance and provide

alternative platforms for economic cooperation, financial funding, and forums for political

dialogue, often perceived as challenging the Western-dominated international order

(Stuenkel, 2020). The recent expansion of BRICS, with the acceptance of Indonesia in

January 2025, signals its growing appeal and potential to influence global economic and

political landscapes, particularly the emerging powers and the Global South, amid the

intensifying trade wars initiated by the US under the Trump administration.

In this regard, Indonesia's decision to apply for permanent membership and its

acceptance as a permanent member of BRICS can be analysed as a strategic act that is

not only consistent with its Bebas Aktif foreign policy but also mandatory to preserve its

autonomy in its external relations. Furthermore, from the perspective of neorealism,

diversified partnerships are essential to enhance influence by increasing bargaining

power with potential partners. In this regard, BRICS offers access to large and growing

markets, investment opportunities, and alternative sources of development finance, such

as the New Development Bank (NDB), which works as leverage for its members in their

discussions with partners both from BRICS and beyond. BRICS also provides Indonesia

with a more prominent platform to articulate its interests and contribute to shaping global

norms and institutions alongside other major emerging powers. In the context of the US-

China rivalry, BRICS membership offers Indonesia another avenue for engagement by

using its BRICS-facilitated economic ties with China as leverage in the recent tariff

negotiations of the US protectionist approach under the Trump administration, thereby

reinforcing its non-aligned stance and increasing its room for manoeuvre (Faridz, 2024).

Furthermore, BRICS aligns with Indonesia's long-standing commitment to solidarity and

cooperation among developing nations.

Indonesia's inclusive approach to the Indo-Pacific, particularly in light of its acceptance

of BRICS, showcases a strategic posture rooted in a neorealist understanding of middle-

power behaviour within a multipolar world. Rather than aligning exclusively with any

single bloc, Indonesia has strategically positioned itself to maximise its security and

influence. This approach, supported by scholarship on middle-power diplomacy

(Abbondanza, 2022; Schweller, 1994), underscores the preference for flexible

partnerships over rigid alliances, allowing Indonesia to navigate the complexities of the

multipolar system with greater agility. Its capacity to cultivate and sustain relationships

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e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1

Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between Global and Regional Organizations

December 2025, pp. 286-301

Dancing with Giants: Indonesia and its Inclusive Approach

in the Indo-Pacific after BRICS Acceptance

Mansur Juned, Mohamad Hery Saripudin

295

across various institutional frameworks highlights the enduring significance and practical

application of non-alignment principles in the current landscape of international relations,

thus demonstrating a nuanced and adaptable foreign policy strategy.

By joining BRICS, Indonesia adds another layer to its multifaceted diplomatic

engagement and maximises its options and influence in a complex global environment.

Furthermore, BRICS membership allows Indonesia to have alternative choices in its

trading and economic partners in the era of protectionism under the Trump

administration. It is essential to ensure the fulfilment of Indonesia’s economic interests

amid the more protectionist US, which significantly impacts the global economic order.

Indonesia's decision to join BRICS, along with the OECD membership proposal,

represents a strategic deepening and widening of its foreign policy, as well as a scaling

up of the existing alignment. By embracing BRICS, Indonesia aims to enhance its capacity

to navigate an increasingly dynamic power shift on a global scale by having a wider range

of strategic choices and amplifying its international standing (Kementerian Luar Negeri

Republik Indonesia, 2025).

This expansion of partnerships is particularly significant in the context of evolving global

economic power dynamics, as BRICS membership offers Indonesia alternative avenues

for trade and economic cooperation amid the rising US-China rivalry and protectionism.

This is essential to ensure Indonesia's economic resilience and secure its national

economic interests through the diversification of its economic relationships in a disrupted

global economic order characterised by more protectionist tendencies in major

economies. In this regard, BRICS provides Indonesia with a platform to pursue its

economic agenda and mitigate the risks associated with overreliance on traditional

partners amid a shifting global economic paradigm.

Navigating the US-China Rivalry: Indonesia's Balancing Act through

ASEAN and BRICS

The Indo-Pacific region is the epicentre of the strategic competition between the US and

China. This rivalry manifests in various domains, including economic influence,

technological dominance, military presence and diplomatic outreach (Mastanduno,

2019). Indonesia, located at the maritime crossroads of the Indian and Pacific Oceans,

faces significant challenges and opportunities. The challenge lies in avoiding

entanglement in great power conflicts that could destabilise the region and compromise

its sovereignty. This opportunity lies in leveraging its strategic position and diplomatic

acumen to foster a regional order that serves its interests. In this regard, we argue that

Indonesia translates Bebas Aktif foreign policy into more pragmatic and interest-based

foreign policies while maintaining its inclusive approach, as reflected in Anwar's (2020)

research regarding AOIP and Juned and Setiono's (2024) EUI CEPA.

We argue that Indonesia employs a multipronged strategy to navigate this conflict. First,

by strengthening ASEAN Centrality, Indonesia consistently champions ASEAN as the

primary vehicle for regional cooperation and security dialogue. Through the AOIP,

Indonesia seeks to ensure that the regional architecture remains inclusive and ASEAN-

led, thereby preventing the dominance of any external power (Sukma, 2024). This allows

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e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1

Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between Global and Regional Organizations

December 2025, pp. 286-301

Dancing with Giants: Indonesia and its Inclusive Approach

in the Indo-Pacific after BRICS Acceptance

Mansur Juned, Mohamad Hery Saripudin

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Indonesia and other ASEAN states to engage with both the US and China on their own

terms based on shared regional norms. Second, Maintaining Equidistance: Consistent

with Bebas Aktif, Indonesia strives to maintain a positive and balanced relationship with

Washington and Beijing. It engages with US-led initiatives that align with its interests

(e.g., the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), OECD, and tariff

negotiations) while also deepening economic ties with China by joining BRICS, its largest

trading partner, to scale up existing economic cooperation, such as the Belt Road

Initiative and ASEAN Plus Three (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia,

various statements). Third, using BRICS as a counterweight and diversification tool,

Indonesia's BRICS membership provides an additional platform for engagement

independent of the US-China axis. From a neo-realist perspective, this diversifies

Indonesia's partnerships and reduces its potential vulnerability to superpower pressure.

This indicates that Indonesia has options and is not solely reliant on Western institutions

or the Chinese economic regime. This can subtly enhance Indonesia’s bargaining power

with both major powers, as neither would want to see Indonesia drift too far into the

other's orbit or become too closely aligned with the alternative bloc.

In the context of ASEAN and in the broader sense, Indonesia's strategic behaviour

provides insights into how emerging powers are likely to navigate an increasingly

multipolar international system. Rather than seeking exclusive alignment with particular

power centres, countries such as Indonesia are pursuing portfolio approaches that

maximise their strategic options. This trend has significant implications for both

traditional alliances and international institutions in the region. As more countries adopt

similar strategies, the international system may become characterised by overlapping

and competing institutional frameworks rather than clear-cut alliances.

Leveraging BRICS for OECD Aspirations and Broader Engagement

Indonesia formally expressed its ambition to join the OECD, a group predominantly

composed of developed economies committed to democratic principles and market

economies (OECD, n.d.). Jakarta has seen OECD membership as a means of accelerating

domestic reforms, attracting high-quality investments, and integrating Indonesia into the

global economy based on high standards of governance and policy (Government of

Indonesia, various statements). Indonesia’s acceptance of BRICS does not necessarily

cancel its proposal to join the OECD, but it is more of a leverage for Indonesia to enhance

its relative power to join the economic group of developed nations.

The pursuit of OECD membership while being a member of BRICS might appear

contradictory to some, given the different orientations of the two groups. However, from

Indonesia's perspective, these are not mutually exclusive endeavours but rather

complementary components of its strategy to enhance its international and economic

development. In this regard, there are several strategic advantages for Indonesia to join

BRICS in its proposal to join the OECD. First, BRICS as a Bargaining Chip leverages

Indonesian negotiations with the OECD. This demonstrates Indonesia's significance as a

major emerging economy with diverse economic partnerships. This could potentially

expedite its accession process or provide it with a stronger negotiating position on certain

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1

Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between Global and Regional Organizations

December 2025, pp. 286-301

Dancing with Giants: Indonesia and its Inclusive Approach

in the Indo-Pacific after BRICS Acceptance

Mansur Juned, Mohamad Hery Saripudin

297

terms, as many OECD members are also keen to maintain the multilateralism approach

regardless of the growing unilateralism in the contemporary global political economy.

Second, it signals that Indonesia remains committed to the OECD’s economic standards

based on those of developed nations. By pursuing OECD membership, Indonesia has

signalled its willingness to adhere to the high governance, economic, and environmental

standards promoted by the organisation. This can help allay Western partners’ concerns

regarding their engagement with BRICS, demonstrating that Indonesia remains

committed to a rule-based international economic order. It also demonstrates Indonesia’s

consistent image of an inclusive approach to aligning strategic partnerships with actors

outside ASEAN.

Third, Indonesia has tried to maintain respectful relations with the US and its allies.

Indonesia's OECD bid is also a clear signal of its intent to maintain and deepen

cooperative relationships with the US and its allies, many of whom are key OECD

members. This balances its engagement with BRICS and reinforces its Bebas Aktif policy

of constructively engaging with all major players. However, BRICS membership also adds

a challenge for better rewards for Indonesia, as we cannot neglect the potential

counterproductive impact of Indonesia joining BRICS. Regardless of its status as a BRICS

member, its consistent efforts on its proposal, as well as the strategic political economic

leverage of an ASEAN and G20 member, reinforce its clear tendency to be a ‘bridge’

between the two global economic regimes. As noted by Indonesian officials, the pursuit

of OECD membership has received support from key Western countries (AntaraNews,

2024).

This dual engagement strategy allows Indonesia to maximise the benefits of different

international platforms, reinforcing its image as a "norm entrepreneur" and responsible

global citizen capable of bridging divides and fostering cooperation across different

geopolitical and economic groupings. The analysis confirms the central proposition that

Indonesia strategically leverages its position within ASEAN and its BRICS membership to

navigate the complexities of the US-China rivalry and enhance its geopolitical standing

in the Indo-Pacific.

Conclusion

This study examined how Indonesia leverages its pivotal role in ASEAN and its

membership in BRICS to navigate the intensifying US-China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific,

guided by its Bebas Aktif foreign policy and viewed through a neorealist lens. This study

suggests that Indonesia strategically uses these multilateral platforms to enhance its

geopolitical standing, maintain strategic autonomy, and pursue national interests to

mitigate the ongoing rivalry between the US and China, as well as the power dynamics

among other middle powers.

Indonesia's commitment to ASEAN Centrality, particularly through the AOIP, provides a

crucial framework for promoting an inclusive regional order. This allows Indonesia and

other AMS to engage in diverse economic partnerships, including BRICS and the OECD,

without being forced into exclusionary alignment by the nature of systemic anarchy based

on the struggle for power. Furthermore, Indonesia's BRICS membership is strategically

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1

Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between Global and Regional Organizations

December 2025, pp. 286-301

Dancing with Giants: Indonesia and its Inclusive Approach

in the Indo-Pacific after BRICS Acceptance

Mansur Juned, Mohamad Hery Saripudin

298

utilised as a tool to bolster its bargaining power, particularly in its aspiration to join the

OECD, while simultaneously seeking to maintain cooperative and respectful relations with

the United States and its allies.

This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how emerging powers, such as

Indonesia, are adapting their strategic foreign policy to an increasingly multipolar Indo-

Pacific. In this regard, Indonesia is "dancing with giants" by engaging with superpowers,

great powers, and other middle powers via its alignment with global and regional

institutions. This approach underscores the enduring relevance of strategic hedging and

the innovative use of multilateral diplomacy as tools for asserting influence and

safeguarding national interests in contemporary global and regional power dynamics.

However, due to the recentness of the issue, it is expected that future research could

delve deeper into the specific mechanisms through which BRICS membership translates

into tangible bargaining power for Indonesia in international forums. Additionally,

comparative analyses with other middle powers such as Japan, Australia, or other AMS

in navigating the existing condition could scale up the research topic for a country to

draw a certain pattern of how middle powers navigate the evolving dynamics of global

politics.

Indonesia's strategic behaviour offers valuable perspectives on how emerging powers are

likely to operate within an increasingly multipolar international system. Rather than

pursuing exclusive alliances with specific power centres, nations such as Indonesia are

adopting portfolio strategies to optimise their strategic flexibility. This trend has profound

implications for established alliance systems and international institutions. As more

states implement analogous strategies, the international system may evolve into a

complex network of overlapping and competing institutional frameworks rather than

discrete alliance blocs.

However, Indonesia's inclusive approach requires consistent foreign policy

implementation based on careful calculations to avoid negative impacts, such as the extra

tariff implementation by the US after Indonesia joined BRICS. We perceive that a similar

scenario could also occur in the case of the OECD membership proposal. In this regard,

Indonesia should deploy a limited proactive approach based on the principles of Bebas

Aktif according to existing circumstances and momentum in the region to avoid an over-

progressive approach that will create counter-productive results to its actual interests.

Amid the recentness and contemporary dynamics of the Indo-Pacific and the global

political economy, the research is limited to examining Indonesia's strategic use of its

ASEAN leadership and recent BRICS membership to gain leverage in the OECD proposal

amid the US-China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific by mid-2025. Given the dynamic nature of

the Indo-Pacific and global political economies, existing research on this specific

interaction remains limited. Future research should delve deeper into the evolving power

dynamics of the Indo-Pacific and the progress of the OECD membership proposal beyond

2025. Furthermore, the qualitative methodology of this study opens avenues for future

quantitative and mixed-method approaches, as well as the application of diverse

analytical tools.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD1

Thematic Dossier - Emerging Powers In-between Global and Regional Organizations

December 2025, pp. 286-301

Dancing with Giants: Indonesia and its Inclusive Approach

in the Indo-Pacific after BRICS Acceptance

Mansur Juned, Mohamad Hery Saripudin

299

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