As US, China seek to drive into G20, cops put foot down: No more than 25 cars each

The Indian Express has learnt that while the US had proposed to bring 75-80 vehicles of its own, China said it would get 46 vehicles. Sources said that besides these two countries, representatives of Turkey, the UAE, the European Union and France plan to get their own cars.

Written by Mahender Singh Manral

New Delhi | Updated: August 28, 2023 01:08 PM IST

2 min read

A G20-related painting near South Extension Metro in New Delhi. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

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As heads of state of 19 countries, the European Union and a host of other international organisations descend on New Delhi on September 7 for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, one of the many questions that security agencies are grappling with is: how many vehicles can be allowed as part of the carcade for each of the guest countries?

Considering the logistical nightmare that these convoys would have caused, sources said the Delhi Police has proposed that the US and China cut down the number of vehicles, following which the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) communicated the same to the guest countries.

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Sources said that “after multiple discussions”, the US settled on 60 vehicles while discussions are still on with China. This, they say, could still be a car too many. “The Delhi Police representative is learnt to have informed the meeting that they have made all security as well as traffic arrangements, but (the countries) should cut down the numbers — the US from 75-80 vehicles to 25 and China to about 20,” said a source.

The carcade issue was discussed at a coordination meeting held a few days ago to review preparedness and security arrangements for VVIPs ahead of the G20. The meeting, chaired by the chief of protocol of the MEA, was attended by officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, MEA, Intelligence Bureau, and other stakeholders.

Also Read | This year at G20, agreeing to agree

According to sources, based on security and other logistic considerations, the MEA has identified 16 hotels across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) to accommodate the delegates for the G20 Summit.

Mahender Singh Manral

Mahender Singh Manral is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. He is known for his impactful and breaking stories. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, Investigative Agencies, National Investigative Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Agencies, Paramilitary Forces, and internal security. Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat. During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives. ... Read More

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