Delhi turns into a diplomatic fortress as BRICS leaders arrive

For two days this weekend, Delhi will become the centre of an extraordinary diplomatic operation, with world leaders, high-security convoys and thousands of officials and journalists converging on the capital for the 18th BRICS Summit.

India will host leaders and delegations from 11 BRICS member countries and 10 partner nations on September 12 and 13, prompting a city-wide security and logistical exercise stretching from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Bharat Mandapam and the hotels where the visiting dignitaries will stay.

Behind the scenes, Government agencies are working to choreograph everything from the arrival of special aircraft and movement of motorcades to hotel security, media access and secure communications.

Vasudev Ravi, Officer on Special Duty for Press Relations at the Ministry of External Affairs, described the preparations as a “large logistical exercise” involving the MEA, other Government departments, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi Police.

The summit has deliberately been scheduled over the weekend to limit disruption to normal life in the capital. The Delhi Government has also declared September 11 a holiday, with the day being used for programmes ahead of the main summit.

The first major challenge will come at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), where preparations have been stepped up ahead of the arrival of foreign leaders. Air traffic controllers’ leave has reportedly been cancelled, while additional officials have been assigned across shifts to coordinate VIP movements with multiple agencies.

IGIA normally handles around 1,400 flights a day. Officials are preparing for an additional 40 to 50 flights from Sunday through Monday morning as delegations arrive and depart.

Special aircraft carrying vehicles for some visiting leaders have already started landing. The vehicles are expected to be flown back to their respective countries after the summit.

Around five to six heads of State are expected to keep their special aircraft at the Palam technical area, while other members of foreign delegations have begun arriving on regular commercial flights.

Authorities have also been asked to keep important airport approach routes in good condition, with particular attention being paid to potholes and waterlogging on roads connecting the terminals from the Radisson and Dhaula Kuan sides.

Delhi’s luxury hotels are preparing for another layer of the diplomatic operation, with several of the capital’s best-known properties designated to host foreign leaders and their delegations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to stay at ITC Maurya, while Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected at Taj Palace. The UAE delegation is expected at The Leela Palace, and the Egyptian delegation at The Sheraton.

Other key properties involved in the arrangements include Taj Mansingh, Taj Palace, ITC Maurya, The Leela Palace and The Oberoi.

Security measures at the hotels have been significantly tightened. In some cases, entire floors have been reserved for individual leaders, with members of their delegations occupying adjoining floors.

The main hotels are reportedly booked out through Monday, while room rates at other five-star properties have climbed sharply, with some rooms costing up to `40,000.

Hotel kitchens are getting ready to meet the individual preferences of visiting delegations. According to a senior official, some countries that had previously travelled with their own chefs are now opting to use Indian culinary teams. Some delegations have reportedly even requested particular chefs by name.

Several of Delhi’s high-profile restaurants, including Bukhara, Dum Pukht, House of Ming, Varq, Jamavar, Megu, 360, Baoshuan, Loya and Spicy Duck, are also preparing for possible visits by VVIP guests.

The hotels will also serve as temporary communication hubs for foreign delegations.

Large suites separate from the leaders’ presidential accommodation are being converted into communication centres. These facilities will allow officials to hold meetings and maintain secure communication with their respective capitals during the summit. The arrangement is designed to give visiting Governments a secure operational base while their leaders attend official engagements in Delhi.

The summit is also set to draw an enormous international media presence. The Ministry of External Affairs expects between 1,200 and 1,300 journalists each day at the International Media Centre inside Bharat Mandapam. Indian and international journalists are expected to be represented in broadly equal numbers, with around 600 to 700 journalists from each side. India has also used its BRICS presidency to broaden its diplomatic outreach. Indian missions and consulates abroad have been promoting the presidency in local languages, while dedicated BRICS social-media accounts and a website have been launched to provide information about events throughout the year.

More than 350 BRICS-related meetings have already been held at different locations across India during the country’s 2026 presidency. The September 12-13 summit will bring that year-long programme to its high point - and put Delhi’s ability to manage one of the world’s biggest diplomatic gatherings under an intense spotlight.