India gets ready to dish out lavish hospitality at G20 Summit

A red-carpet welcome awaits G20 leaders and their spouses, who will be treated to Southeast Asian, Arab and East Asian cuisines, along with fare from various Indian states, during their stay in New Delhi for the summit on September 8-10.

The city is being spruced up for the first such international event in a decade or so, showcasing all that India has to offer under the theme of Atithi Devo Bhava. Educational institutes and offices will be closed, and traffic will be restricted so 'carcades' of the various delegations pass through smoothly.

Delhi is holding a dress rehearsal for the event over the weekend. Delhi Metro will be running normally, although the station nearest the main venue will be closed.


While US President Joe Biden is expected to arrive on September 7, several other leaders from the G20 and invitee countries are expected the next day. Many will be accompanied by their spouses and large delegations. Spouses of G20 leaders will be taken to all the prominent monuments of Delhi and special shopping arrangements are also being made.

Top hotels will lay out a lavish spread for guests. Catering at the summit venue will be handled by ITC Hotels and its top chefs, with special focus on cuisine and service.

PK Mishra, principal secretary to the Prime Minister, this week chaired a meeting of the G20 Coordination Committee and reviewed arrangements for the Leaders' Summit. This ninth meeting of the coordination committee was attended by senior officers from the G20 secretariat and the ministries of external affairs, home, culture, information and broadcasting, and the Department of Telecommunications.