BRICS Summit: Delhi Turns Into A Fortress As Putin Arrives, 500+ CCTVs Guard Summit; Airspace Shut

Russian President Vladimir Putin has landed in New Delhi ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, marking his first in-person appearance at a BRICS summit outside Russia since 2022.

His visit kicks off with a high-stakes bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an address at the BRICS Business Forum, and a joint visit to the INNOPROM exhibition.

Talks are expected to cover strategic trade resilience, cross-border payment mechanisms, energy security, and conflict-resolution pathways amid tensions in Eastern Europe and West Asia.

Putin's day is packed — with meetings also lined up with Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and New Development Bank chief Dilma Rousseff.

Meanwhile, Delhi has transformed into a security fortress. Over 15,000 Delhi Police personnel and around 200 CAPF companies have been mobilised, backed by 500+ CCTV cameras with facial recognition tracking every route to Bharat Mandapam.

Special Commissioner Manish Agarwal confirmed nearly 16 Heads of State are expected, several requiring high-level protection. Delhi's airspace is also under lockdown from September 11 to 13 — no take-offs or landings within 300 km of the capital, except cleared dignitary, IAF, and emergency flights.

The summit itself runs September 12-13 under India's chairship, marking BRICS' 20th anniversary. The bloc now includes 11 full members — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE — plus 10 partner nations.