NEW DELHI: New Delhi is under an extensive security watch ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, with more than 15,000 Delhi Police personnel and nearly 200 companies of Central Armed Police Forces mobilised as around 16 heads of state are expected to attend the high-level gathering.
Bharat Mandapam, the summit venue, and the routes used by visiting delegations are at the centre of the security operation.
Police are also monitoring CCTV feeds, social media activity and the possibility of snap demonstrations while preparing for last-minute movements by foreign dignitaries.
Special Commissioner of Police (Security) Manish Kumar Agrawal said coordination has been carried out with agencies including the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Intelligence Bureau for events linked to the summit.
“Approximately 16 Heads of State are expected to attend, including several who require high-level security protection. The Delhi Police has coordinated extensively with various agencies, ranging from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other counterparts, to manage all meetings and events associated with the summit, both before and during the proceedings,” he said.
The Delhi Police have mobilised more than 15,000 personnel, while approximately 200 CAPF companies have been provided for law and order and other operational duties.
Specialised surveillance cameras are also being used for route security and traffic enforcement.
Delhi Police have sanitised routes earmarked for delegations, and the Delhi Police and its Traffic Branch will keep them under watch.
“We have sanitised the designated routes; the Delhi Police and the Traffic Branch will monitor them to guard against sabotage and ensure smooth traffic flow,” Agrawal said.
Traffic advisories have also been issued for stretches that could face disruption during VIP movements.
Security preparations extend beyond the summit venue and convoy routes. Police are keeping watch for sudden demonstrations and activity on social media, while contingency plans have been rehearsed.
“While we are extremely vigilant about security, as the host country, it is also our responsibility to ensure our guests face no embarrassment and that nothing occurs in or around Delhi that could cause us international embarrassment,” Agrawal said.
“We are keeping a close watch on social media activity, potential snap demonstrations, and similar incidents,” he added.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma said personnel had been positioned across different security zones and drills completed ahead of the event.
“Police have been deployed in different sector zones across New Delhi. Drills have been conducted. CCTVs are being monitored. Meetings have been held with agencies… Our technical equipment has been installed so that any threat can be detected. We are ensuring that the public does not face any kind of inconvenience,” Sharma said.
Police are also preparing for foreign delegates making unscheduled visits to cultural or historical sites in Delhi or neighbouring states.
Agrawal said neighbouring states had been asked during coordination meetings to be ready to put security arrangements in place at short notice if such visits take place.
The two-day summit will bring together leaders and senior representatives from BRICS member and partner countries along with heads of regional and international organisations.
Representatives from ASEAN, the African Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council, CELAC, and the Eurasian Economic Union are among those expected.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff are also scheduled to attend.
Discussions are expected to cover strategic trade resilience, cross-border payment mechanisms, energy security, and possible pathways to address geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and West Asia.
India is holding the BRICS Chairship for the fourth time in 2026. Its theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability". - The Statesman/ANN
