Who is Sidharth Babu, the Kerala diplomat behind Modi, Putin and Xi?
A photograph of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 2026 BRICS Summit has become one of the most widely shared images from the meeting. But while the three world leaders dominated the frame, social media users soon noticed another face — a young Indian diplomat standing just behind them, smiling as Modi and Xi spoke. He…
Indian diplomat Sidharth Babu, a 36-year-old officer from Kerala, gained attention during the 2026 BRICS Summit for his role alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Babu, currently serving as Deputy Secretary in the East Asia Division of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, was spotted behind the three leaders, striking a pose in a photograph that quickly became widely shared on social media.
His presence in the image was no mere coincidence, as his expertise in Mandarin and experience dealing with China positioned him as a key player in the interaction with Xi. Before joining the Indian Foreign Service, Babu completed a BTech in mechanical engineering and worked in the e-commerce sector. His decision to pursue diplomacy led him to secure an impressive All India Rank of 15 in the Civil Services Examination.
After four years in Beijing, Babu also served as a consul in California and obtained a master's degree in language interpretation and translation, enhancing his diplomatic skills. His career trajectory showcases a diverse path that has ultimately placed him at the center of high-stakes international engagements.
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