From galouti kebabs to edible lotuses: How Delhi hotels are welcoming BRICS delegates
Delhi is getting ready for a weekend of VVIP movements, road closures and heightened security. But inside some of the capital's most luxurious hotels, another kind of preparation has been underway for weeks, one involving tasting sessions, regional Indian food, personalised menus, and even edible art.
The 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. Delegations have already begun arriving in the capital, with the city gearing up for one of its biggest diplomatic events since the 2023 G20 Summit.
The scale of the preparations is considerable. Delhi Police and security agencies have deployed thousands of personnel, with 11 major hotels placed under security cover. NSG (National Security Guard) teams have been assigned to hotels hosting dignitaries, while anti-drone systems, surveillance and repeated motorcade rehearsals have been put in place.
The city has also been getting a visual makeover. The New Delhi Municipal Council has undertaken road repairs, footpath improvements, new zebra crossings, thematic paintings, illumination and other beautification work along key routes. Traffic restrictions and diversions will remain in place from September 11 to 13, with commuters being advised to plan their journeys and use the Metro where possible.
Reports have identified some of the properties where visiting leaders and delegations are staying. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected at ITC Maurya, Chinese President Xi Jinping at Taj Palace, the UAE's leadership delegation at The Leela Palace, and the Egyptian delegation at Sheraton New Delhi, according to a Times of India report.
The LaLit, Taj Mahal, The Imperial, The Leela Palace are some other hotels thatβs hosting delegates from different countries.
At these hotels, preparations aren't only about security and room allocations. Food is becoming part of the welcome.At The LaLiT, the menu is unmistakably Indian
The LaLiT New Delhi has been preparing for the summit for weeks, according to a spokesperson for the hotel who spoke to India Today Digital.
The hotel says its culinary team has been working on sourcing, menu trials and tastings, while service staff have been trained to understand the cultural nuances and requirements of the delegations they are hosting.
But the hotel's approach isn't to recreate the cuisines of every country represented at the summit. Photo provided by The LaLit, New Delhi
"Our philosophy has always been that when guests choose to stay with us, especially international delegations, they should leave with an authentic experience of India," the spokesperson said.
That means the primary focus is Indian food, with flexibility built in for dietary requirements and preferences. The LaLiT's summit menu draws on India's regional culinary heritage rather than sticking to what the hotel calls a predictable pan-Indian banquet. Delegates can expect refined versions of dishes such as galouti kebabs and tandoor-baked breads, along with preparations inspired by different parts of the country.
The hotel has also created a millet-forward section for the occasion.
And some dishes have been developed specifically for the summit. These include braised eggplant with miso paste, simmered Chinese cabbage and kidney bean sweet Japanese style with amber sauce, according to the hotel.
The idea, the spokesperson said, was to create "small, considered touches" that tie into the spirit of BRICS and the idea of bringing different nations to one table.At The Leela Palace New Delhi, the approach is slightly different
Preeti Makijha, General Manager, The Leela Palace New Delhi, told India Today Digital that the hotel has been working closely with representatives of the delegations to understand their individual preferences and requirements. That preparation extends from menus and service rituals to in-room amenities.
"At the heart of the culinary offering is a celebration of India's rich gastronomic heritage, complemented by familiar international flavours," Makijha said.
The hotel's in-room offerings have also been given an Indian touch.
Guests will find Aujasya by The Leela millet cookies, handmade granola bars and wellness infusions, while the hotel has also prepared a handcrafted edible lotus flavoured with rose, saffron and cardamom, accompanied by indigenous Indian fruits.
It is perhaps the most literal expression of what these hotels are trying to do: make international guests comfortable with familiar flavours while giving them something that feels distinctly Indian.At the Taj Mahal, New Delhi, the welcome is more personal
Dr Anmol Ahluwalia, Area Director β Operations and General Manager, Taj Mahal, New Delhi, told India Today Digital that the hotel is presenting visiting delegates with "Tradition to Table", a collection of recipes curated by Taj chefs and inspired by their mothers.
The collection is meant to capture the personal connection chefs have with the dishes they grew up eating, while also showcasing India's culinary diversity.
The concept has been extended into a selection of traditional savoury bites from six regions of India. The selection includes spiced walnuts from Kashmir, Purani Dilli Maida Kaju, Maharashtra's bhakarwadi, Rajasthan's mini kachori, Bengal's kucho nimki and Tamil Nadu's murukku. Photo provided by Taj Mahal, New Delhi
Dr Ahluwalia said the collection was intended as a "lasting reminder" of the warmth and connections associated with a visit to India. The result is a rather clever diplomatic souvenir: instead of another generic luxury gift, delegates leave with recipes and snacks that tell them something about the country they have just visited.Delhi's hotels are feeling the BRICS rush
The preparations come as luxury hotels across the capital face a surge in demand.
India Today Digital reported earlier this week that several prominent Delhi hotels were seeing limited or no room availability around the summit dates, with tariffs rising sharply amid demand from visiting delegations, security personnel, media and other officials.
Mint reported that The LaLiT would have around 90 per cent of its 460 rooms occupied during the summit, with average daily rates running 30β40 per cent above normal.
The city's hotel industry is therefore dealing with an unusual combination of demands: airtight security, international delegations, tight room inventory and the expectation that every detail β from breakfast to an in-room snack β should work without a hitch.
For the hotels, the BRICS Summit is also an opportunity to put India's food and hospitality on the diplomatic table, and from the preparations it looks like they are very much doing so.- EndsPublished By: Tiasa Bhowal Published On: Sep 11, 2026 10:28 IST
