Meet Siddharth Babu, the IFS Officer Spotted Beside PM Modi During BRICS Talks With Putin and Xi IFS officer Siddharth Babu, who secured All India Rank 15 in the 2016 UPSC exam and chose diplomacy over the IAS, served as PM Narendra Modi's official interpreter at the 18th BRICS summit. During high-stakes discussions at the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi, a calm and focused face repeatedly drew global attention alongside the world's most influential leaders. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and held serious bilateral exchanges with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a young Indian diplomat stood steadily by his side. Photographs of this officer standing directly between PM Modi and President Putin, attentively listening and bridging the conversation, quickly went viral across social media platforms, sparking immense public curiosity about his identity. The diplomat is Siddharth Babu, hailing from Kochi, Kerala. A 2017-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, he served as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official diplomatic interpreter at this historic summit. Within the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Siddharth Babu is currently posted as Deputy Secretary in the Europe and Eurasia division. The High-Pressure Role of a Diplomatic Interpreter In closed-door diplomatic summits, an interpreter is far more than a literal translator converting words from one language to another. The interpreter functions as a critical bridge of trust between global powers. During bilateral meetings between top leaders of nations like India, Russia, and China, the specific phrasing, tone, and diplomatic nuance carry immense strategic weight. A minor misinterpretation or a slightly misplaced word can alter entire geopolitical calculations. Decoding the complex statements and body language of leaders like Vladimir Putin and instantly relaying them with complete contextual accuracy to the Prime Minister requires exceptional focus and composure under intense pressure. Siddharth Babu executed this sensitive task with precision. Handling the Europe and Eurasia desk at the MEA provides him with a strong grasp of regional nuances and geopolitical realities, which proved invaluable during these top-level discussions. From Engineering and E-Commerce to UPSC Success Siddharth Babu's path from Kochi to the corridors of South Block reflects dedication and clear career intent. He completed his degree in mechanical engineering and initially began working in the corporate private sector, including stints in the e-commerce industry. However, his strong inclination toward international affairs and global relations led him to pivot toward public service. He appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination and achieved All India Rank 15 in the 2016 examination cycle. Securing a top 15 rank easily positioned him to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), which is traditionally the most sought-after choice among civil service aspirants in the country. Siddharth Babu deliberately turned down the IAS to join the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), driven purely by his passion for diplomacy and international relations. Language Expertise and National Assignments As part of his diplomatic training within the Foreign Service, Siddharth Babu underwent rigorous foreign language instruction. This linguistic proficiency and cross-cultural communication skill have become central assets in his career. His presence alongside national leadership is not limited to BRICS. Earlier this year, he was on duty alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Republic Day celebrations, assisting in high-level engagements with visiting foreign dignitaries. His steady presence at major summits highlights the critical role played by career diplomats behind the scenes of global diplomacy. What this means for you This story offers civil service aspirants and general readers a clear look into behind-the-scenes diplomacy and the value of purpose-driven career choices. • Clarity in career choices: Opting for the IFS despite securing AIR 15 demonstrates that pursuing genuine interests outweighs conventional career paths like the IAS. Candidates can learn to prioritize passion and long-term goals over societal prestige. • Value of language and regional expertise: Specialized regional knowledge and language proficiency can quickly place an officer into high-level strategic roles. Aspiring civil servants and professionals can see the direct benefits of mastering foreign languages and geopolitics. • Understanding diplomatic operations: The general public gains a realistic view of how closed-door international negotiations function through specialized diplomatic interpreters. It demystifies the operational precision required during high-stakes bilateral dialogues. • Encouragement for corporate transitions: The shift from an engineering and e-commerce background into public diplomacy proves that private sector professionals can successfully transition into top government roles. Why this happened Siddharth Babu was stationed alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi during talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping due to the strict operational necessity for expert diplomatic interpretation at the highest level. • Demand for linguistic and contextual precision: Bilateral discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin required rapid, context-accurate interpretation where nuanced words carry immense geopolitical weight, necessitating an accredited diplomatic interpreter. • Domain expertise in MEA's Eurasia division: As a Deputy Secretary in the Europe and Eurasia division, Babu's day-to-day work focuses on the exact region and political dynamics central to the summit talks, making him the ideal desk officer for the assignment. • Confidentiality and diplomatic trust: Sensitive bilateral conversations behind closed doors require trained career diplomats rather than external translators to ensure complete confidentiality, institutional memory, and operational accuracy. Questions & Answers 1. Who is Siddharth Babu, seen beside PM Modi at the BRICS summit? Siddharth Babu is a 2017-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer from Kochi, Kerala, currently serving as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. 2. What role did Siddharth Babu play during the 18th BRICS summit? He served as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official diplomatic interpreter during bilateral engagements with world leaders, including Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. 3. What was Siddharth Babu's rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination? He secured All India Rank 15 in the 2016 UPSC Civil Services Examination. 4. Why did Siddharth Babu choose the IFS over the IAS? Despite having the rank to easily join the IAS, he chose the Indian Foreign Service due to his keen interest in international affairs and diplomacy. 5. What was Siddharth Babu's professional background before entering diplomacy? He earned a degree in mechanical engineering and worked in the private corporate sector, including e-commerce, before entering public service. Inspiration & Lessons Siddharth Babu's progression from engineering and private enterprise to high-level global diplomacy offers meaningful practical lessons for aspirants and professionals. • Choosing true passion over conventional prestige: Opting for the IFS despite qualifying for the IAS with AIR 15 shows that aligning your career with genuine interests leads to deeper professional fulfillment than simply following conventional expectations. • Courage to pivot careers: Moving from a stable background in mechanical engineering and the e-commerce sector to crack the civil services exam demonstrates that strategic career shifts are achievable with disciplined preparation. • Mastering niche competencies: Dedicating effort during training to master foreign languages and deep-dive into regional geopolitics proves that continuous skill development prepares one for high-stakes leadership responsibilities. https://trendkia.com/en/uttar-pradesh/brics-men-putin-aura-xi-jinping-se-charcha-ke-daurana-pm-modi-ke-satha-dikhe-siddharth-babu-janie-kauna-hain-yaha-ifs-aphasara-31788 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.