A mix of heavy security around Prime Minister Narendra Modi, organizational confusion, and unforgiving Delhi traffic made even basic planning difficult. At points, attendees were warned not to come at all or abruptly told to leave. One POLITICO reporter arrived at the designated entrance only to find it closed — and was then redirected to another closed entrance.
Inside, signage was poor, crossing the venue could mean multiple security checks, and everyday items like car keys or laptops were occasionally treated as potential hazards.
Then again, several Delhi regulars noted that, by local standards, summit week was comparatively well organized.
The aviators are back
Away from the conference halls, Emmanuel Macron delivered the week’s most unexpectedly down-to-earth moment, as he squeezed in some sunrise cardio.
Before heading to New Delhi for the summit, the French president was spotted on an early-morning jog along Mumbai’s swanky Marine Drive, dressed in athletic gear and his now-signature aviator sunglasses; the same pair that drew attention in Davos weeks earlier. Bodyguards kept pace as he ran along the waterfront promenade, drawing curious glances from morning walkers. Not everything about the future of AI happens onstage.