Hotels fortified, mega motorcades: Delhi goes into security lockdown for Putin, Xi

Delhi has put in place an elaborate security plan ahead of the BRICS summit, with a four-layer cordon for Vladimir Putin, special security teams for Putin and Xi Jinping, verified hotel staff and rehearsed routes. Senior police officers, commandos and paramilitary personnel will oversee security at hotels and along key routes.Putin, Xi visit: 4-layer shield, foreign security teams on Delhi streetsSecurity arrangements in Delhi have been stepped up ahead of the BRICS summit, with a four-layer security cordon for Russian President Vladimir Putin and special security measures in place for Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both leaders are expected to arrive in Delhi on September 11 and 12, respectively, with their hotels and travel routes under heightened security.In view of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s stay at the Maurya Hotel, the hotel has been turned into an impregnable fortress.A four-layer security cordon has been put in place for Putin’s security.The first security layer will comprise the CPT, or Close Protection Team. The team will ensure Putin’s close protection and remain with him at all times. The second layer will be the inner security circle, comprising senior Delhi Police officers.The third, or middle circle, will comprise Delhi Police commandos and personnel from paramilitary forces. The outermost circle will be handled by the local police. A heavy deployment of local police will be maintained outside the hotel and across the surrounding area.PUTIN TO HAVE HIS OWN SECURITY CORDONPresident Putin will also be accompanied by his own security team at all times. Around 25 to 30 commandos and security personnel are expected to accompany Putin and maintain a close security cordon during his movements.Senior officers have been tasked to oversee security at hotels housing foreign heads of state.Comprehensive security arrangements have been made at the hotels where the heads of state attending the BRICS summit will stay.Overall security at these hotels will be supervised and commanded by senior officers of the rank of Special CP, Crime.At Bharat Mandapam, the Delhi Police security arrangements will be headed by the Special CP, Special Cell.Along with the deployment of Delhi Police, commandos and paramilitary personnel, special surveillance will also be maintained along the routes leading to and from the hotels.To manage the security arrangements effectively, Delhi has been divided into different sectors. Each sector has been placed under the responsibility of an officer of DCP or Additional DCP rank.SPECIAL SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS FOR PUTIN AND XIRussian President Vladimir Putin is expected to arrive in Delhi on September 11.Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to arrive in Delhi on September 12.After landing at Palam Air Force Station, both heads of state are scheduled to travel to the Maurya and Taj hotels.Special security teams from both countries have already arrived in Delhi and are handling security arrangements at the respective hotels.The foreign security teams have advanced weapons and security equipment.Security personnel have been deployed from the floors where the heads of state will stay to the hotel rooftops and ground floor.The Delhi Police Special Cell has been assigned responsibility for the Chinese President’s security.At the hotel where the Russian President is likely to stay, one Additional DCP and two ACPs have been deployed in different shifts.HOTEL STAFF ALSO VERIFIEDSecurity agencies have verified every employee of the hotels concerned.Along with checking their records in Delhi, verification of the employees has also been carried out in their respective home states.TIMINGS FOR REACHING BHARAT MANDAPAM ALSO FIXEDThe motorcades of Putin and Xi Jinping are expected to be the largest.Delhi Traffic Police has finalised the routes for foreign guests travelling to and from Bharat Mandapam.Several route rehearsals have also been conducted to assess the security arrangements.Security and traffic arrangements have been kept on high alert along the entire route from the airport to the hotels and from the hotels to Bharat Mandapam.- EndsPublished By: Sayan GangulyPublished On: Sep 10, 2026 20:42 IST