New Delhi has been given a highly visible makeover for one of India’s biggest diplomatic events of the year.
As the capital prepares to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, roads and public spaces along key VIP corridors have been upgraded with decorative lighting, fresh landscaping, summit branding and thousands of new plants.
Where has the makeover happened?
The New Delhi Municipal Council has focused heavily on routes connecting the airport, major hotels and the summit venue at Bharat Mandapam.
Prominent intersections including Patel Chowk, Mandi House and the PMO roundabout have received decorative treatment, while LED signs and BRICS-themed material have appeared along key corridors.
17 roundabouts and around 15,000 plants
According to the Indian Express, 17 roundabouts were upgraded as part of the preparation.
Around 15,000 plants were also added, with special attention given to ornamental beds and rose gardens intended to improve the appearance of high-visibility routes used by visiting delegations.
Why is the summit attracting so much attention?
India is hosting leaders from an expanded BRICS grouping at a time of unusual global tension.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are among the high-profile leaders associated with the summit, putting New Delhi at the centre of discussions involving trade, global governance, wars, sanctions and relations between major powers.
The optics matter — but diplomacy matters more
Host cities routinely clean, light and decorate major diplomatic zones before international summits. The objective is partly logistical and partly symbolic: a global summit is also a presentation of the host country.
But the real test begins after the motorcades arrive.
India has to navigate difficult relationships inside BRICS, including tensions with China, close ties with Russia, strategic partnerships with Western countries and differing member positions on conflicts in West Asia.
Delhi residents will notice more than decorations
Large international summits can also mean security restrictions, route diversions and temporary changes to public movement.
Residents and travellers in the capital should therefore rely on official traffic advisories rather than assuming normal road access around summit zones.
Bottom line
Delhi’s BRICS makeover is the visible part of the summit: lights, plants, signs and polished roundabouts. The harder work will happen behind closed doors, where India will try to turn a carefully staged gathering into concrete diplomatic outcomes.
Source: The Indian Express
