New Delhi: A request to visit the historic Jama Masjid in Delhi, stepping out for an impromptu meeting, a spontaneous trip to the Taj Mahal in Agra for the recently married son and daughter-in-law of a head of state — the Delhi police found themselves juggling an unexpected array of requests from heads of state and world leaders while orchestrating preparations for the G20 summit this past weekend.
According to a source in the Delhi Police, several “unscheduled requests” were made by dignitaries — including visiting popular restaurants like The Imperial and Indian Accent serving Indian cuisine — that had to be “handled” by them.
In one instance, a head of state, staying at hotel Claridges, decided to visit Jama Masjid after attending an official dinner engagement and left for the mosque located in Old Delhi. This impromptu plan caught the security apparatus off guard, prompting them to urgently broadcast a message over the wireless requesting immediate intervention to intercept the head of state.
“He was stopped enroute and was informed that the visit could not be facilitated due to security concerns. He was earnestly requested to return to the hotel,” the source told ThePrint.
According to a second source in the security establishment, the head of state subsequently opted to dine at the Hotel Imperial instead.
The following day, however, he once again expressed a desire to visit the Jama Masjid, which was refused again. The head of state was then given the alternative to visit the Qutub Minar as a viable option and after he agreed, arrangements were promptly made for the visit.
“At any such international event, a meticulous set of protocols are outlined. The MEA (ministry of external affairs) plays a pivotal role in making the entire schedule in close coordination with the security apparatus and the designated liaison officer. However, there are requests that are made by dignitaries and we do our level best to accommodate most of them to the extent feasible within the established parameters,” said the fist source. “But there are some requests for which clearance cannot be given for security reasons and so are regrettably declined.”
In a separate incident, a man who had come to India for his father’s treatment embarked on an audacious adventure — to meet the head of state of his country who was in Delhi for the G20 meet.
He reached the lobby of the hotel where the head of state was staying and started speaking with the delegation from his country. When the head of the state arrived, the enthusiastic visitor started walking towards him, an arm stretched out for a handshake. However, he was promptly intercepted by the Delhi Police personnel deployed in the area. The man was detained and was then jointly questioned by the Delhi Police Special Cell and the Intelligence Bureau.
“He was later released. He said he just wanted to greet his head of state,” the second source said.
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A meeting, tourist visit
There was also a sudden meeting planned by a head of state that had to be intercepted and denied. The police personnel were informed that a head of state would be visiting a businessman and philanthropist in Delhi. Initially the team on duty assumed it to be a pre-scheduled official meeting, only to be subsequently informed that it was not.
Following this, the dignitary’s team was informed.
“We first started to make arrangements for security, VIP movement, but soon received word that the MEA had not given the required clearance for such a meeting. The head of state’s security officer was then informed,” a third source told ThePrint.
In another instance, Kaesang Pangarep, the son of Indonesian head of state Joko Widodo, along with his newlywed wife Erina Gudono, requested to visit the Taj Mahal. Necessary arrangements were promptly made and the couple, who had tied the knot in December 2022, posed for photographs in front of the monument, accompanied by their team.
Kaesang Pangarep is an Indonesian entrepreneur and YouTuber. He is the third and youngest child of Joko Widodo.
According to a senior police officer, though, despite these minor challenges encountered along the way, the G20 summit was a great success, marked by an absence of any untoward incident. This achievement, he said, can be attributed to the dedication and meticulous preparations by the police force which had been diligently working for this event for the past five months.
“All officers involved in planning and execution of the event under the aegis of Commissioner of Police, Sanjay Arora, including every single policeman deployed on the streets, deserve unequivocal credit for their tireless efforts and contribution towards making this event a success,” the officer said.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit 2023 concluded Sunday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi handing over the G20 Presidency gavel to Lula da Silva, the President of Brazil, a country which will assume the presidency of the grouping from 1 December this year.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)
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