Indonesia starts process to join Brics

It sees grouping as vehicle to further interests of Global South, says minister

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Indonesia has expressed its desire to join the Brics group of major emerging economies, which accounts for 35 percent of global economic output, as a means to strengthen emerging countries, its Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

As Brics world leaders convened in Kazan, Russia, for a summit this week, Indonesia's Foreign Ministry said late on Oct 24 that the process of joining the group has begun.

"Indonesia joining Brics is a manifestation of its independent-active foreign policy," said newly appointed Foreign Minister Sugiono, whose name, like for many Indonesians, has just one word.

"That does not mean we join a certain bloc, but we actively participate in every forum."

Indonesia, the world's fourth-most populous nation, holds a non-aligned foreign policy.