The Delhi government has officially announced a public holiday on September 11 in anticipation of the 18th BRICS Summit. This major international event is scheduled to be held on September 12 and September 13 at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. The decision to declare a holiday was made to ensure that all necessary arrangements and security protocols are executed without any hindrance. According to the official notification, the holiday will apply to all government offices, autonomous bodies, and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
Official Notification by Lieutenant Governor
The declaration of the holiday was made by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. The notification issued by the government states that the Lieutenant Governor has declared a holiday on September 11, which falls on a Friday, for all government offices, autonomous bodies, and PSUs under the Delhi government. This step has been taken specifically in view of the BRICS Summit and the extensive arrangements associated with it, while in addition to the Delhi government offices, the Central government has also decided to keep its offices in the capital closed on September 11 to facilitate the smooth conduct of the summit and avoid any logistical challenges.
High-Profile Participants and Global Leaders
The 18th BRICS Summit is expected to see the participation of leaders from approximately 30 BRICS member countries and partner nations. The gathering will also include heads of various international organizations and business representatives from BRICS nations, including India. Reports indicate that United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be among the prominent attendees. Also, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are expected to participate in the summit. There are also reports suggesting that Chinese President Xi Jinping might attend the conference, although official confirmation regarding his participation is still awaited.
Security and Traffic Arrangements
The decision to declare a holiday comes at a time when preparations for the summit are being intensified across Delhi. Security measures have been Importantly tightened in various parts of the city, and traffic restrictions have been put in place. To ensure the safety and smooth movement of delegates, several routes have been diverted. Recent traffic drills conducted by the authorities involved more than 35 roads and 22 alternative routes, with a particular focus on Central Delhi and the area surrounding Bharat Mandapam. These measures are aimed at preventing any inconvenience during the two-day summit on September 12 and 13.
India's Role as the BRICS Host
This year marks the fourth time that India is hosting the BRICS Summit. Previously, India held the presidency and hosted the summit in the years 2012, 2016, and 2021. As a founding member of BRICS, India has played a pivotal role in the group's activities. During its current presidency, India has organized more than 350 meetings and high-level dialogues across more than 25 cities. These discussions have primarily focused on strengthening cooperation in three key areas: political and security matters, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The upcoming summit at Bharat Mandapam is the culmination of these extensive efforts to foster deeper ties among the member nations.