Joe Biden's G20 Convoy Car Goes Off Duty To Drop Customer At UAE President's Hotel; Driver Detained For 'Protocol Breach'

In an apparent breach of protocol during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, a private cab designated for use in US President Joe Biden's motorcade, entered a hotel in the city where UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is staying, in an attempt to drop off one of his regular clients, before reporting for duty.

The driver was stopped at Taj Hotel, where he had halted to drop off one of his regular customers, by security personnel. While the route he took raised alarm bells, security personnel realised upon questioning him that he had decided to attend to his other customers before going to Biden's hotel ITC Maurya.

According to media reports, the driver was asked to attend to Biden at his hotel by 930 AM. As he had plenty of time prior to that in the morning, the driver decided to take another ride when one of his customers wanted to teach the Taj Hotel. The driver further said he was not aware of the security protocols. 

While he was released after questioning, security agencies removed him from Joe Biden's convoy. “The driver and businessman were questioned by the official of intelligence agencies and he claimed that he was unaware of the protocol and that it was wrong to go outside during security duty,” an official familiar with the matter told the Indian Express.

Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for the two-day summit in the national capital. Dog squad and mounted morchas with binoculars have also been deployed to keep a hawk's eye on the security arrangements at the venue and the entire New Delhi district. Police have urged people not to visit India Gate and Kartavya Path for walking or cycling. While the movement of vehicles is being regulated in the area, ambulances have been permitted to operate.