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The Man Beside PM Modi at BRICS ! Who Is Diplomatic Interpreter Siddharth Babu ?
New Delhi : While the high-profile meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi grabbed global attention, another Indian officer quietly became a talking point on social media. Standing beside PM Modi during the crucial diplomatic discussions was Siddharth Babu, a 2017-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer who reportedly played the important role of a diplomatic interpreter during the summit. Currently serving as Deputy Secretary in the Europe and Eurasia Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Babu brings experience in handling the complex political and diplomatic affairs of the region.
His role becomes particularly significant during high-level meetings, where interpreting is not merely about translating words but also about accurately conveying tone, context, nuance and diplomatic intent. During interactions involving leaders such as Putin, even a slight misunderstanding of a phrase or diplomatic expression can potentially create confusion, making precision and composure essential.
Interestingly, Babu’s journey to the diplomatic service was not a conventional one. A mechanical engineering graduate, he reportedly worked in the private sector, including the e-commerce industry, before appearing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2016 and securing an impressive All India Rank of 15.
With the option of joining the IAS, he instead chose the Indian Foreign Service, driven by his interest in international relations and diplomacy. His professional journey highlights the contrasting roles of the IAS and IFS : while IAS officers largely focus on domestic administration, governance and implementation of government policies, IFS officers represent India abroad, strengthen bilateral ties, negotiate international agreements and safeguard the country’s interests on the global stage.
At a summit bringing together some of the world’s most influential leaders, Babu’s presence beside PM Modi offered a glimpse into the highly demanding, behind-the-scenes diplomatic machinery that helps India navigate complex international conversations.
