At the high-profile BRICS Summit in September 2026, an Indian official captured attention by appearing alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. This individual is Sidharth Babu, a 36-year-old Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer from the 2017 batch, currently serving as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs' East Asia Division.
Babu's pivotal role involved facilitating communication, specifically interpreting remarks from President Xi Jinping for Prime Minister Modi. His fluency in Chinese and extensive experience in East Asian affairs made him an invaluable asset during the critical diplomatic engagement.
From Engineering to Diplomacy
Originally from Kochi, Kerala, Sidharth Babu embarked on an unconventional path to diplomacy. He pursued mechanical engineering at Mar Athanasius College of Engineering from 2008 to 2012. After graduating, he gained experience in the e-commerce sector before setting his sights on the civil services.
His journey to the IFS was marked by determination; after an initial unsuccessful attempt, he secured an impressive All India Rank 15 on his second try, choosing the esteemed Indian Foreign Service.
A Career in Global Affairs
Sidharth Babu's diplomatic career commenced in December 2017 as an officer trainee in New Delhi. His first overseas posting took him to Beijing, China, where he served as Third Secretary from August 2018 to June 2020, and later as Second Secretary until July 2022. These four years were crucial for his professional development, allowing him to cultivate deep expertise in Chinese affairs and refine his language skills.
Following his assignment in China, Babu moved to the United States, serving as Consul in Monterey County, California, from August 2022 to June 2024. During this period, he further honed his linguistic prowess by pursuing a Master of Arts in Language Interpretation and Translation at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, completing his studies in May 2024.
Returning to New Delhi in June 2024, he served as an Under Secretary for seven months before assuming his current position as Deputy Secretary in January 2025. The BRICS Summit was not the first instance of Babu assisting Prime Minister Modi in a high-level diplomatic setting; he previously interpreted a conversation between Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during India's 77th Republic Day celebrations.
Babu's unique blend of technical background, linguistic fluency, and diplomatic experience positions him as a rising figure in India's foreign service, vital for navigating complex international relations.