A photograph from the BRICS meeting posted by the Indian Prime Minister sparked curiosity over the identity of the fourth man standing alongside the world leaders. He was Sidharth Babu, an IFS officer from Kerala. An engineer-turned-diplomat, Babu was part of the Indian team handling key exchanges with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Instead of focusing on his professional background and qualifications, much of the online attention centred on his physical appearance. This has also raised questions about how public figures are perceived, and whether professional achievements should take precedence over physical attributes.
Here is a look at Sidharth Babu’s career and the path that led him to become Deputy Secretary in the East India Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.
The switch from engineering to IFS
Sidharth Babu is a 2017-batch IFS officer from Kerala’s Ernakulam district. He graduated from Mar Athanasius College of Engineering, Kothamangalam, with a mechanical engineering degree in 2012. Babu’s interest in diplomacy started even before he attempted the UPSC examination. He was keen on observing the e-commerce sector and international relations, which helped him with his civil service preparations.
Although he did not clear the exam in his first attempt, Babu secured an All India Rank of 15 on his subsequent attempt and opted for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
Career trajectory and mastering Chinese
Babu started as an officer trainee in December 2017. His first international posting was in Beijing, China, where he was posted as the Third Secretary and later as the Second Secretary in 2018 and 2022.
During these years, Babu developed a deeper understanding of the Chinese language, culture and diplomatic practices, which eventually led to his BRICS viral status. He pursued a master’s degree in Language Interpretation and Translation at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS) in California. He completed the programme in 2024 while serving as a Consul in the United States.
In 2024, Babu returned to New Delhi to join as an Under Secretary right before taking up the role as Deputy Secretary in the East Asia Division in January 2025.
BRICS wasn’t the first event at which Babu was seen with world leaders. On January 26, 2026, while India celebrated its 77th Republic Day Anniversary, Babu was positioned on the VIP podium. Back then, it was he who interpreted the conversation involving PM Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
One photograph brought Sidharth Babu into the spotlight, but his journey reflects years of learning, diplomatic experience and work behind the scenes. His role during key diplomatic engagements at the BRICS Summit highlights the importance of the officials who help facilitate communication and negotiations between countries. Babu’s career also underscores how language skills, expertise, and experience can play a crucial role in building bridges between nations.
(Complied by Shyama)