New Delhi, September 27 (Daily Kiran) : The growing interest of Southeast Asian nations in BRICS reflects a broader effort to enhance strategic autonomy and diversify economic and diplomatic partnerships amidst shifting global dynamics.
According to a report by India Narrative, the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026, under India’s presidency, highlighted the rising significance of the group for ASEAN countries. The summit was themed “Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability,” focusing on strengthening collaboration across political, security, economic, financial, cultural, and people-to-people domains.
The report notes that ASEAN’s interest in BRICS is noteworthy, as the Southeast Asian bloc has traditionally positioned itself as a regional platform for small and medium powers, emphasizing consultation and cooperation over coercion.
BRICS is perceived as a platform that allows these nations to diversify their economic and diplomatic engagements without subscribing to a binary worldview of “West versus the rest.” Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who attended the New Delhi summit as ASEAN chair and an outreach country, stated that ASEAN nations would engage with BRICS to promote peace, inclusive development, sustainable growth, and a rules-based international order.
The report also highlights the Philippines’ interest in expanding its diplomatic and strategic options amid sovereignty disputes with China in the South China Sea. BRICS could provide Manila with an additional platform to broaden its engagements while avoiding direct confrontation with Beijing.
During the summit, India and the Philippines discussed enhancing their strategic partnership in defense, trade, space, and infrastructure. The Philippines had previously acquired the land-based version of India’s BrahMos anti-ship cruise missile in 2022, with delivery of launch systems set to begin in April 2024.
Vietnam’s growing engagement with BRICS was also emphasized in the report. According to the Vietnamese ambassador in India, this collaboration aims to contribute to the overall success of BRICS, strengthening the voice of developing nations while providing Vietnam with additional opportunities to diversify its markets and partnerships.
Vietnam became a partner country of BRICS in 2025, and Prime Minister Le Minh Khai participated in the New Delhi summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The report states that Hanoi views BRICS as another platform beyond ASEAN to expand partnerships while maintaining relations with China, the United States, Japan, and Europe.
India and Vietnam also agreed to strengthen defense and maritime cooperation during the summit. Malaysia, another partner country in BRICS, sees the group as a way to expand economic and diplomatic ties with major emerging markets amid global economic uncertainties and regional conflicts.
The report mentions that India is Malaysia’s largest trading partner, with 293 approved manufacturing projects by Indian companies in Malaysia worth $2.95 billion as of June 2026, expected to create 28,455 jobs.
Meanwhile, Indonesia, the only ASEAN member in BRICS, views the group as a platform to amplify the voice of the Global South and promote more resilient global trade and supply chains.
The report concludes that ASEAN’s increasing interest in BRICS could create opportunities for India to deepen economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asian economies. It argues that India’s presence could help ensure that BRICS serves as a platform for broader Global South cooperation rather than falling under the dominance of any single power.
Both India and ASEAN countries share an approach focused on strategic autonomy, diversification, and consultation. The report states, “BRICS provides a platform for both India and Southeast Asia to pursue their economic and strategic interests without conforming to a binary ‘West versus the rest’ mindset, thus attracting ASEAN countries toward this non-Western organization.”
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