Delhi Tightens Security Ahead of BRICS Summit as Foreign Leaders Prepare to Arrive
Security arrangements have been strengthened throughout Delhi ahead of the BRICS summit. Security teams from China and Russia have already reached the capital, while detailed plans for the movement of visiting leaders and their convoys have been completed.
Hotels in the Chanakyapuri diplomatic area are under heightened security as the presidents of China and Russia are scheduled to visit Delhi later this week, according to officials.
Sources said Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to reach India on September 11, followed by Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 12. Both leaders are expected to arrive at the Air Force Station in Palam and then travel to their designated hotels in Chanakyapuri.
“Security personnel from China and Russia have already reached the hotels where the two leaders are expected to stay. They have brought specialised security equipment and advanced weapons with them. Security arrangements extend from the floors assigned to the presidents to the rooftops and ground level of the hotels,” a source said.
The Delhi Police Special Cell has reportedly been assigned responsibility for the security arrangements of Chinese President Xi Jinping. At the hotel where Vladimir Putin is expected to stay, one additional deputy commissioner of police and two assistant commissioners of police have reportedly been assigned duties in different shifts.
Authorities have also carried out verification of hotel staff, including checks conducted in Delhi as well as in the employees’ respective home states, according to sources. The visiting presidents are also expected to bring some vehicles and convoy cars with them by air.
Around 30,000 security personnel have been deployed across the capital for the BRICS summit. Their responsibilities include securing the airport, hotels and Bharat Mandapam, the main venue for the event. Approximately half of the personnel are from the Delhi Police, while the rest have been drawn from paramilitary forces.
For smoother coordination, the security arrangements have been divided into different sectors. Each sector will operate under the supervision of either a deputy commissioner of police or an additional deputy commissioner of police, a source said.
Iranian President to Have Separate Hotel Accommodation
Foreign leaders and other dignitaries attending the BRICS summit will be accommodated at several hotels in New Delhi.
According to sources, the President of Indonesia, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, President of Kazakhstan and Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister are expected to stay at one hotel.
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, along with the finance ministers of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Brazil, will be accommodated at another hotel.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to stay at a hotel where VIP representatives from Bangladesh will also be accommodated.
The President of South Africa is scheduled to stay at the same hotel as the President of Burundi. Meanwhile, the President of the Philippines, Prime Minister of Vietnam, VIP representatives from Bolivia and the finance ministers of Cuba and Uruguay are expected to stay at another common hotel.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will also have separate hotel arrangements during his visit to attend the BRICS summit.