Who Is The Indian Diplomat Seen Standing Close To PM Modi, Xi, Putin In Viral Photo From BRICS Summit?

Last Updated:September 13, 2026, 8:36 PM IST

The viral photo brought attention to the Indian diplomat seen standing close to PM Modi, Xi and Putin.

IFS officer Sidharth Babu was seen close to the three leaders. (Image: X/@narendramodi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday posted an image on social media platform X that captured his bonhomie with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit.

In the photo, PM Modi can be seen holding hands with Putin and Xi. The photo, which has now gone viral, has also put a young man who was seen standing close to the three leaders in the spotlight.

The young officer seen in the frame is Sidharth Babu, a 36-year-old Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer who helped PM Modi follow Xi’s remarks during their interaction.

Who Is Sidharth Babu?

A 2017-batch diplomat, Babu is currently Deputy Secretary in the East Asia Division of the Ministry of External Affairs. His knowledge of Chinese and experience in Beijing have made him an important part of India’s diplomatic engagements involving China.

Babu, who hails from Kerala’s Kochi, studied mechanical engineering at Mar Athanasius College of Engineering and graduated in 2012. He later worked in the e-commerce sector before turning towards the civil services. After an unsuccessful first attempt at the Civil Services Examination, Babu cleared it on his second try with an All India Rank of 15 and joined the IFS.

His diplomatic career began in December 2017. He was posted to Beijing in 2018, serving as Third Secretary and later Second Secretary until 2022. The assignment strengthened his Chinese-language proficiency and understanding of China.

He then served as a consul in California from August 2022 to June 2024, while also pursuing a master’s degree in language interpretation and translation at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Babu returned to Delhi in 2024 and became Deputy Secretary in the East Asia Division in January 2025. He had earlier interpreted for PM Modi during his interaction with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Republic Day celebrations in January.

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Who is the Indian diplomat seen standing with PM Modi, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping in the viral BRICS Summit photo?

The diplomat is Sidharth Babu, a 36-year-old Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer from the 2017 batch. Hailing from Kochi, Kerala, he secured an All India Rank of 15 in the Civil Services Examination. During the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, he served as a diplomatic interpreter for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

What is Sidharth Babu’s current role in the Ministry of External Affairs?

Sidharth Babu serves as a Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. While the primary article notes his role in the East Asia Division as of January 2025, secondary sources from September 2026 identify him as Deputy Secretary for Europe and Eurasia.

What is the educational and professional background of diplomat Sidharth Babu?

Sidharth Babu graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from Mar Athanasius College of Engineering in 2012 and worked in the e-commerce sector before joining the civil services. He later earned a master’s degree in language interpretation and translation from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey while serving as a consul in California.

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Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish…Read More

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