Modi, Putin, Xi, and Sidharth; Malayali diplomat shines in BRICS summit

NEW DELHI: Sidharth Babu, a Malayali diplomat, was a constant presence alongside PM Modi as an interpreter at the BRICS summit. Sidharth also made it into the prized photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi standing with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. When Modi welcomed world leaders to the venue at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, the backdrop featured the pillared corridor of the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram. It was Sidharth who interpreted PM Modi's enthusiastic detailing of the temple to Xi Jinping.

This Kochi native frequently serves as an interpreter during PM Modi's conversations with heads of state at summits and other events. He secured the 15th rank in the 2016 Civil Services Examination and joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) as part of the 2017 batch. Although Sidharth could have opted for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), he chose the IFS due to his interest in diplomacy and global affairs. Sidharth has served in Beijing and the US and is currently the Deputy Secretary of the Europe-Eurasia Division at the Ministry of External Affairs.