As India gears up for the G20 Summit in New Delhi and welcomes leaders from all over the world, security arrangements have become a top priority for the Indian government.
For the security of the influential attendees of the G20 Summit (two-day Summit), which will begin on September 9, 2023, India will be deploying more than 100,000 security officers.
Security Arrangements
India will be hosting some of the most high-profile and eminent guests during the G20 Summit. The list of influential leaders includes US President Joe Biden, British PM Rishi Sunak, and the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman. As per reports, the capital city of New Delhi will be closely monitored and guarded. During the Summit, access will be regulated.
The Indian Government has deployed a strong force of 80,000 personnel of the Delhi Police, and other 1,30,000 security will also be assisting them in guarding the city and the Summit.
Deepak Pathak, the Special Commissioner of Delhi Police who is in charge of the security arrangement, said, “This is a historic and momentous moment.” He further continued and said, “to contain protests and gatherings, we will have an adequate and robust police presence.”
As per him, thousands of personnel from the government and special services, including the Border Security Force and the home guards, will be brought to maintain law and order.
Elaborate security measures have been undertaken so that no infiltration, sabotage or terrorist events occur during the Summit. Delhi Police officials said on September 1, 2023. More than half of the Delhi Police will be involved in providing security for the summit. The National Security Guard (NSG) and the CAPF (Central Armed Police Force) will assist the Delhi Police in the arrangements.
At the Main Venue, the sprawling refurbished “Bharat Mandapam” in Pragati Maidan, the convention cum exhibition centre will be guarded by a strong team under the charge of Delhi Police Commissioner Ranvir Singh Krishana.
All the borders will be sealed to prevent unwarranted entry into the national capital region though normal vehicular and public movements will be allowed, officials said.
Aerial Security
A spokesperson from the Indian Air Force said It will deploy comprehensive measures for the integrated aerospace defence in New Delhi and nearby areas. The spokesperson also mentioned that the military and the air force, along with paramilitary forces, will deploy anti-drone countermeasures to tackle the aerial threat.
Security for the Dignitaries
The government has leased 20 bulletproof limousines at a cost of Rs 18 crores for ferrying leaders. As many as 450 drivers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) VIP security wing have been trained to pilot the special left-hand driven and bullet-protected vehicles. The spouses of the dignitaries will be guarded by the specially trained men and women commandos of another paramilitary force, Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB).
Other Security Measures
Starting from the arrival of the dignitaries at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi to their designated hotels, a total of 69 explosive detection dogs from the police K-9 Squad will be strategically placed at critical locations across the New Delhi district. Each location will have two handlers accompanying dogs. The majority of the dogs are trained in the detection of explosives and narcotics.
The newly trained dogs arrived earlier this month and include breeds such as Belgian Malinois, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and German Shepherd (Alsatians). They have undergone tough training in the ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) camp and have now been deployed in various areas around the national capital, such as Connaught Place, Rajghat, and India Gate. Around 400 Firefighters have also been put under alert mode.
