New Delhi: As the dates of the 18th ‘G20’ summit in New Delhi, set to take place on September 9- September 10, draw near, preparations have kicked into high gear. The summit will see participation from the heads of State and Governments of 19 countries, along with involvement from the European Union.
Moreover, leaders from nine guest nations are expected to engage in the G20 discussions. In anticipation of hosting foreign dignitaries, the intelligence agency ‘IB’ has meticulously audited numerous hotels across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). This comprehensive security audit has resulted in the compilation of a list encompassing 32 hotels, with each security facet taken into careful consideration. The prospect of deploying helicopters atop several hotel rooftops is also being explored.
Reliable sources indicate that the leaders of influential countries will find accommodation within the ‘360-degree defense’ of 12 select hotels situated in New Delhi. The security audit has yielded success, with 23 Delhi-based hotels and 9 NCR hotels satisfying the stringent security criteria. Notably, the majority of the NCR region’s hotels are nestled in Gurugram.
In a strategic move, 23 hotels in Delhi and an additional 9 in the National Capital Region (NCR) are poised to house the influx of foreign guests. The chosen establishments include The Oberoi on Zakir Hussain Marg, the Imperial, ITC Maurya on Sardar Patel Marg, Taj Mahal on Man Singh Road, Leela Palace in Dhaula Kuan, Taj Palace on S.P. Marg, Ashok Hotel in Chanakyapuri, Lalit on Barakhamba Road, Shangri-La’s Connaught Place, Hyatt Regency in Bhikaji Cama Place, Le Meridien in Connaught Place, The Lodhi at CGO Complex, Vivanta by Taj in Dwarka, Sheraton in Saket, The Suryaa in New Friends Colony, Pullman at Aerocity, Andaz at Aerocity, Roseate at Aerocity, JW Marriott at Aerocity, Eros in Nehru Place, Radisson Blu Plaza in Mahipalpur, Claridges on 30 Janpath, Leela Ambience in Gurugram, Trident in Gurugram, The Oberoi in Gurugram, Taj City Centre in Gurugram, Hyatt Regency in Gurugram, ITC Grand Bharat in Gurugram, Westin in Gurugram, The Leela Ambience Convention in Shahdara, Vivanta in Surajkund, and Crowne Plaza in Greater Noida.
Rigorous Training for SPG and NSG Personnel
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs is leaving no stone unturned in its preparations for the impending summit. With an unwavering focus on foolproof security for foreign dignitaries, a specialised team of 1000 “security personnel” is undergoing rigorous training at the VIP Security Training Center in Greater Noida, courtesy of CRPF. Trainers from CRPF hailing from different regions across the nation are imparting this training to the security personnel.
These individuals will be divided into approximately 50 teams, and the training includes all aspects of VIP security. Moreover, nearly three hundred bulletproof vehicles are in the process of being readied. Sources reveal that the personnel undergoing training at CRPF’s VIP Training Institute are far from ordinary.
They comprise soldiers with prior experience in VIP security, having worked with elite units like SPG and NSG. All of these proficient soldiers will be an integral part of the motorcade accompanying foreign dignitaries. Additionally, they will shoulder security responsibilities at various locations, with some also undergoing specialised driver training. Notably, even Delhi Police personnel are benefiting from training at CRPF’s esteemed training center.
At the training center, soldiers are being readied to undertake the vital responsibility of ensuring the security of foreign guests, encompassing their journey from the motorcade to their hotel accommodations. Their training is meticulously tailored to this purpose. The curriculum entails escorting VIPs to and from hotels to vehicles and familiarising them with diverse security protocols pertinent to these scenarios.
Soldiers are being educated on the art of sitting in vehicles, employing security formulas in the event of incidents, guaranteeing the safety of foreign dignitaries in the face of perceived threats, and more. In the case of vehicular technicalities en route, the precise status and role of the first, second, and third spare vehicles are being elucidated.
This training incorporates strategies for shifting foreign guests to alternative vehicles, illustrating the comprehensive 360-degree defense approach provided to VIPs. These modules are integral components of the training, which is slated to continue until September 6th. Post this, practical rehearsals will ensue.
Hotels chosen as lodgings for foreign guests have allocated distinct security forces, rather than a single unit, for night security. This strategic move minimizes single points of failure. As an example, during nocturnal stays at hotels, both the Border Guarding Force and Delhi Police units will be collaboratively present, ensuring comprehensive security coverage.
Deployment of 1300 soldiers outside Pragati Maidan
Reliable sources indicate that approximately 4,000 Delhi Police personnel will be stationed at Pragati Maidan. An interesting facet is that these personnel will remain inconspicuous by eschewing traditional uniforms in favour of suits, boots, and signature black sunglasses. This group of soldiers is undergoing specialised training for their roles. In addition to this, Delhi Police is orchestrating the deployment of 1300 soldiers outside Pragati Maidan. A high-level meeting, featuring key figures like Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, has deliberated on these critical developments. The contingent of Delhi Police soldiers designated for Pragati Maidan’s exterior security will be donning recognisable uniforms. Complementing this, a team of 400 traffic police personnel is set to be stationed in Pragati Maidan and its surrounding vicinity.
Anticipated holidays around the G20 Summit
As the 18th G20 Summit approaches, a temporary respite is foreseen. Two days before and two days after the event, the likelihood of holidays looms. This pertains to offices situated within the New Delhi region. In the lead-up to the summit and in its aftermath, offices in this area could potentially observe holidays.
The summit itself will entail a comprehensive shutdown of New Delhi. Special passes will be dispensed to specific vehicles, and only essential transportation will be authorised to operate. Notably, New Delhi and Pragati Maidan have been demarcated into distinct zones. New Delhi will be designated as a control zone, while Pragati Maidan will be established as a complete “no entry zone” for the general public.
Addressing potential emergencies, the Ministry of Home Affairs has emphasised the need for air ambulance services at Pragati Maidan. Additionally, over 100 personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) are undergoing specialised training to proficiently conduct security checks. These trained personnel will be stationed at locations where foreign guests are lodging and at meeting venues. The training curriculum also extends to drivers, underscoring the comprehensive approach to summit security.
The upcoming 18th G20 Summit is set to welcome a diverse assembly of nations, reflecting a global commitment to collaboration. The G20 coalition comprises an esteemed roster including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Notably, the European Union stands as a collective participant, collectively aggregating a colossal 85 per cent of the world’s GDP and an impressive 75 per cent of global trade volume. Furthermore, this coalition commands the attention of almost two-thirds of the world’s population. Adding to the ensemble is an assortment of guest countries that bear importance on the global stage. Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates have all received invitations to contribute their perspectives. This array of guest countries fortifies the spirit of international cooperation the summit embodies.
The prominence of the summit is underscored by the engagement of key international and regional organisations. Esteemed entities such as the United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB), World Trade Organisation (WTO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), Financial Stability Board (FSB), and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) are set to be present. Additionally, regional groups including the African Union (AU), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be part of the summit’s discourse.
Exemplifying its role as the summit chair, India is extending invitations to a select group of international organisations, specifically ISAE, CDIAC, and ADBI. These invited organisations will join the heads of their respective entities in contributing to the summit’s discussions. This comprehensive representation underscores the G20’s commitment to fostering dialogue on a global scale, ensuring diverse voices are heard and deliberations are both robust and comprehensive.
