A system for indirect border gateway routing comprising a provider edge router; at least one virtual routing and forwarding instance in communication with the provider edge router, each virtual routing and forwarding instance including a route target; a pointer identification list in communication with the provider edge router, the pointer identification list containing at least one route target associated with a virtual routing and forwarding instance; and a virtual routing and forwarding import instance adapted to receive a route from the provider edge router, the route including a pointer identification directing the virtual routing and forwarding import instance to scan the pointer identification list for the route target associated with the plural virtual routing and forwarding instance, and wherein the virtual routing and forwarding import instance is further adapted to import the route to the at least one virtual routing and forwarding instance having a route target on the pointer identification list.