New Delhi: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and other world leaders during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, one Indian official was repeatedly seen close to the Prime Minister during high-level engagements.
The official is Siddharth Babu, a 2017-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, who has gained public attention for his role as an interpreter during diplomatic engagements involving the Prime Minister.
Babu was also noticed alongside Modi during the 77th Republic Day celebrations in January 2026, when he helped facilitate communication between the Prime Minister and then-chief guest Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
Who Is Siddharth Babu?
Siddharth Babu is an IFS officer from Kerala who has served in diplomatic and foreign-policy assignments.
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The Ministry of External Affairs’ current organisational directory lists Siddharth Babu as Deputy Secretary in its East Asia Division. The division handles matters relating to China, North Korea, Japan, Mongolia and South Korea.
His current assignment places him in a division dealing with some of India’s most important relationships in East Asia, including India-China relations.
At a Glance
- Name: Siddharth Babu
- Service: Indian Foreign Service
- Batch: 2017
- UPSC CSE: 2016
- UPSC Rank: All India Rank 15
- Current MEA role: Deputy Secretary, East Asia Division
- Background: Mechanical engineering
- Home state: Kerala
- Area of interest: International relations and diplomacy
From Mechanical Engineering to the Foreign Service
Babu’s career path did not begin in diplomacy.
He studied mechanical engineering and subsequently worked in the private sector, including in e-commerce, before turning towards the Civil Services Examination.
His interest in international relations eventually influenced his decision to pursue the Indian Foreign Service. In the 2016 Civil Services Examination, he secured All India Rank 15. The official service-allocation records identify the candidate at rank 15 as Sidharth B, with the Indian Foreign Service allocated to him.
His decision to join the IFS rather than the IAS was linked to his interest in international relations and a career in diplomacy. In an earlier account of his UPSC journey, Babu said he saw diplomacy as a suitable way to work in the field of international relations.
Why Is Siddharth Babu Seen Beside PM Modi?
One of Babu’s most visible responsibilities has been his work as an interpreter during high-level diplomatic engagements.
At meetings involving the Prime Minister and foreign leaders, an interpreter has to convey statements accurately while accounting for diplomatic terminology, context and tone.
Babu came into wider public attention during the 77th Republic Day celebrations in January 2026, when he was seen beside Modi and interpreting during the interaction with Ursula von der Leyen. His appearance subsequently drew attention online and prompted interest in his professional background.
His presence has now again been noticed during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where Modi has held meetings with several foreign leaders, including Putin and Xi.
The summit is being held under India’s 2026 BRICS chairship on September 12-13, with the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
A Career Built Around International Relations
Babu’s choice of the Foreign Service was consistent with an interest in international affairs that he had developed before entering the service.
His UPSC preparation included International Relations as his optional subject, according to accounts of his preparation journey.
Rather than treating the UPSC examination only as a route to the IAS or IPS, Babu chose the service that aligned with his stated interest in diplomacy.
His journey is therefore notable not simply because he secured a top rank, but because he used that rank to pursue a specific area of public service.
What Does an IFS Interpreter Do?
Diplomatic interpretation is more than translating individual words from one language into another.
During conversations between heads of government, interpreters have to communicate statements accurately while retaining their intended meaning, tone and diplomatic context.
This becomes particularly important during bilateral meetings, where leaders may discuss sensitive subjects involving security, trade, geopolitics and strategic relations.
Babu’s appearances beside Modi have offered a rare public glimpse into this otherwise largely behind-the-scenes aspect of diplomatic work.
From Republic Day to BRICS
Babu’s visibility has increased through his appearances at major diplomatic events.
In January, he was seen facilitating communication during Modi’s interaction with the European Commission leadership at the Republic Day celebrations. Months later, he has appeared in the background of India’s high-level engagements with major world leaders during the BRICS Summit.
The 2026 BRICS Summit has brought together the leaders of the expanded grouping in New Delhi, including Putin and Xi. Modi’s meetings with both leaders have been among the summit’s closely watched diplomatic engagements.
For many viewers, Babu’s repeated presence beside the Prime Minister may be incidental to the main diplomatic proceedings. For an IFS officer, however, it represents a highly visible part of a career built around international relations, communication and diplomacy.
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