Security in Delhi, India, has tightened as the much-anticipated BRICS Summit 2026 begins today.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs says nearly 30,000 security personnel, including 15,000 Indian Police personnel, have been deployed to ensure security, reports AFP.
Yesterday, the Delhi government shut down all government offices and schools. It also barricaded 35 major routes in New Delhi to keep traffic moving smoothly.
Major hotels, especially those where country leaders are lodging, have also been placed under strict surveillance.
Anti-drone systems have been deployed to restrict unauthorised drone flights.
The measures come as leaders of the 11 core member countries and partner countries, as well as outreach invitees, arrive for the summit.
Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in New Delhi at the Palam Air Base about 0011:40 local time on Saturday, marking his first visit to India after over 7 years. He is accompanied by the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran, the Prince Crown of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, among other leaders, also arrived in New Delhi yesterday.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, is leading the Nigerian delegation to the global event. He arrived in New Delhi yesterday and was received warmly by Indian government officials.
On the Nigerian delegation are the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, as well as the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, among others.
The 18th BRICS Summit, with the theme “Building For Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, comes amid heightened war between Iran and the United States and between Russia and Ukraine, threatening the organisation’s unity.
BRICS+ has been advocating for multipolar and inclusive global relations, expressing dissatisfaction with the current hegemonic and imbalanced setup, which appears to empower the Western economy the most.
A closed-door session for core BRICS member countries is expected to be held on Saturday under the theme “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism”. In contrast, a broader session involving partner countries such as Nigeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Uganda, among others, will be held on the second day of the summit, tomorrow.
At the summit, Vice President Shettima will participate in high-level discussions on inclusive global growth, resilience, innovation and sustainable development.
He will also participate in bilateral engagements aimed at advancing Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic interests, particularly in trade, investment, agriculture, technology, industrial development and other areas of mutual benefit.
Nigeria became a BRICS partner country in January 2025 and has since engaged the platform to strengthen South-South cooperation and broaden its relations with major emerging economies.
The Nigerian delegation will also participate in the BRICS open session and other activities scheduled on the summit’s sidelines.
