Will Prabowo’s Brics ambitions reshape Indonesia’s ties with Russia and China?

Not only has his government expressed a desire to join Brixbut is also set to engage in the country’s first naval exercises with Russia – all while the president himself is planning a five-nation diplomatic tour of the globe.

Although it has its roots in the old “bebas dan active” tradition of (independent and active) foreign policy, analysts say the West will be closely watching Prabowo’s relations with Russia and China in particular.

Both are founding members of the Brics bloc, which Indonesia announced his intention to join on Oct. 25, and both now have agreements to hold joint exercises with the Southeast Asian nation — following a decision in August to resume joint military exercises with China that were suspended in 2015 due to maritime disputes.

The Indonesian Navy has announced the upcoming bilateral exercise with Russia from Monday to Friday off Surabaya as a “milestone”. Three Russian corvettes, a tank, a helicopter and a tug will be deployed for the exercises, Moscow’s envoy Sergei Tolcenov confirmed last week.

Two Russian corvettes are seen arriving in Shanghai for a port call last year. Photo: CCTV

No rival power was targeted by the exercises, Tolchenov said last Monday, the aim being “only to increase the capabilities and potential of our two fleets”.