Delhi Turns Fortress, Gets Makeover as BRICS Summit 2026 Opens

Central Delhi was transformed into a heavily guarded zone on Friday, a day before the BRICS Summit 2026, with 15,000 police personnel and 200 companies of paramilitary forces deployed to protect visiting dignitaries and secure their movement across the city.

Eleven Heads of State or Government are expected at the summit, to be held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13.

Security blanket

Beyond the visible deployment, the Delhi Police have intensified monitoring of social media for possible threats and misinformation. Aerial activity is being watched and the Yamuna is being scanned, with Shahdara Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajendra Prasad Meena carrying out boat patrolling. Officers in areas around major heritage sites such as Rajghat and the Red Fort have bolstered security in anticipation of unscheduled visits.

Traffic curbs and metro plans

The Delhi Traffic Police announced diversions and restrictions between 2 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. on Friday for VIP and VVIP movement, affecting more than 35 roads, with 22 diversion points set up. Commuters heading to airports, railway stations and inter-State bus terminals were advised to allow extra time and use public transport. Officials said the diversions left normal traffic flow largely unaffected and manageable. Non-destined commercial vehicles were barred from entering Delhi, and roadside parking within 200 metres of controlled roads was discouraged.

Metro services will run as usual, with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announcing an early 6 a.m. start on September 13 across all corridors to help students appearing for examinations and other commuters.

City gets a facelift

The New Delhi Municipal Council has illuminated 17 major roundabouts, 11 hotel premises and 10 of its own buildings. The decorated roundabouts include Patel Chowk, Windsor Place, Mandi House, Shantipath-Kautilya, Shantipath-Panchsheel, Shantipath-Satya Marg, RML, Teen Murti, Q-Point, Claridges Hotel, Samrat Hotel, Ashoka Hotel, Methi, Lok Kalyan Metro Station, Man Singh, York Place and PM Roundabout, with floral arrangements at these spots. Trees and areas around key hotels have been brightened with uplighters, LED strings and other decorative lighting.

Protest and weather

On Friday morning, members of the Tibetan community demonstrated against Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit, his first to India in seven years. The protest, under the banner of the Tibetan Youth Congress, was held at Majnu Ka Tila amid heavy police deployment. Later, police detained some students who climbed poles inside an underpass near Pragati Maidan and waved anti-Xi Jinping flags and the Tibetan national flag.

Parts of the capital saw light rainfall on Friday, and the India Meteorological Department has forecast more rain over the next two days while the summit is underway.