New Delhi is preparing for one of its biggest diplomatic gatherings of the year. From September 12 to 13, leaders from the expanded BRICS group will arrive in the capital as India hosts the bloc's 18th summit.
The event comes 20 years after BRICS was established and during India's fourth term as the group's chair. The summit will take place at Bharat Mandapam, with India using the chairship theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
But the summit is already being felt outside the conference venue.
Delhi's luxury hotels are running short of rooms. Some properties have crossed ₹2 lakh a night, while others have stopped accepting bookings altogether for the key dates.
So, who is coming to Delhi, where are the key leaders staying and why has the city's hotel market suddenly become so expensive?
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First, When And Where Is BRICS 2026?
The 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit will be held on 12 and 13 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
India assumed the BRICS chair on 1 January 2026. The year also marks two decades since the grouping was established.
The expanded BRICS now has 11 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Indonesia.
The summit will also bring partner countries and outreach invitees to the capital.
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Delhi Steps Up Security Ahead Of BRICS
Delhi has been preparing for the BRICS Summit for around a month.
Delhi Police has deployed around 25,000 personnel, including more than 100 NSG commandos. Anti-drone systems and mock drills are also part of the preparations.
The security arrangements cover Bharat Mandapam, hotels hosting visiting delegations and movements involving Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory for 11 to 13 September.
Traffic may be regulated or diverted during the movement of international dignitaries. More than 35 roads and 22 diversion points have been identified.
Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys and consider the Metro. Separate guidance has also been issued for passengers travelling to and from Indira Gandhi International Airport during the summit period.
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Then The Hotel Rush Began
The BRICS Summit has also pushed up demand for luxury hotel rooms in Delhi.
According to The Economic Times, Delhi's luxury hotels were facing a significant room shortage ahead of the summit.
At ITC Maurya, New Delhi, rooms available for September 10 to 13 were being quoted at more than Rs. 2.3 lakh per night, according to the report.
The report also said Taj Mahal Hotel and The Oberoi, New Delhi, had no rooms available for September 11 and 12. Taj Palace had no rooms for September 10 to 12, while The Leela Palace was not accepting bookings for September 10 to 12.
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The Guest List Is Getting Bigger
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the summit for India.
Among the major leaders expected in Delhi are:
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
Xi Jinping, President of China
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil
Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of Egypt
Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia
Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran
Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia
Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE
Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia
India has officially confirmed that Putin will attend, while Prime Minister Modi has also said he looks forward to welcoming Iranian President Pezeshkian. South Africa has confirmed Ramaphosa's participation.
China's Xi is also expected to make his first visit to India since 2019 for the summit.
Who Is Staying Where?
Security means hotels do not always publicly confirm individual room allocations. So the following should be treated as reported arrangements, not official hotel confirmations.
Russia: President Vladimir Putin is expected to stay at ITC Maurya, a hotel he has used during previous Delhi visits.
China: President Xi Jinping is expected to stay at Taj Palace, across from ITC Maurya.
UAE: The UAE delegation, including its head of state, is expected at The Leela Palace.
Egypt: The Egyptian delegation has been linked to a hotel in Saket, although traffic authorities had suggested shifting it to central Delhi to reduce motorcade movement.
South Africa: The LaLiT New Delhi has said delegations from South Africa, the UAE and Burundi are expected to stay there.
Indonesia, Ethiopia and Iran: The Oberoi has been reported as the likely hotel for the Indonesian, Ethiopian and Iranian heads of state.
Brazil: The Brazilian delegation has been reported as likely to stay at The Imperial, although this has not been officially confirmed by the hotel.
Philippines: The Philippines' envoy is expected at the Taj Mahal Hotel, according to a report by Mint.
These arrangements can change because of security, protocol and last-minute diplomatic decisions.
TL;DR | News At a Glance
What is India preparing for?
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit in New Delhi, with the main summit at Bharat Mandapam on 12 and 13 September 2026.
How is Delhi preparing?
Around 25,000 security personnel, including more than 100 NSG commandos, have been deployed, with anti-drone systems, mock drills and dedicated hotel security teams.
How will the summit affect Delhi?
Traffic restrictions, controlled motorcade routes and changes around the airport, hotels and central Delhi are expected during the summit.
Why are hotel prices rising?
Demand has surged as heads of state, delegations and security teams arrive. Some luxury hotels have no rooms available, while reported rates at some properties have crossed Two lakhs per night.
Who are the major leaders expected?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, alongside leaders from other BRICS countries.
