Who Are These Two Men Standing Beside PM Modi And Xi Jinping During Their BRICS Meet?

New Delhi: The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS summit in Delhi garnered significant headlines. Two officials were consistently seen alongside the two leaders. These officials are not ordinary government employees but trusted interpreters for the top leadership of India and China. Their responsibility goes beyond mere linguistic translation; they must also convey the true nuance and intent of the conversation.

Who is the official seen with Xi Jinping?

The Chinese official frequently seen with Xi Jinping is Sun Ning. Born in Nanjing in 1981, he is considered one of the veteran interpreters of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sun Ning has a strong command of English. He won an English competition in school and delivered an outstanding performance in a speech competition during college. Recognising his talent, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered him a job even before he had graduated from university.

When did Sun Ning start working with Xi Jinping?

Sun Ning studied at the Nanjing Foreign Language School and attained proficiency in English at the Beijing Foreign Studies University. He subsequently pursued further studies in the UK. In August 2003, he joined the Translation Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

After Xi Jinping became President, Sun Ning’s presence became a regular feature during his foreign visits and important events. Sun Ning was also present as an interpreter when Xi Jinping visited the United States in February 2012 in his capacity as the then Vice President.

Who is the official seen with PM Modi?

The official seen with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is Siddharth Babu. He is an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer from the 2017 batch and serves in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Siddharth Babu is proficient in multiple languages, with a particularly strong command of Mandarin and English. Over the past few years, he has frequently served as an interpreter for Prime Minister Modi at various significant international events.

Where did Siddharth Babu learn Mandarin?

Siddharth Babu studied languages ​​at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey in the United States. There, officials are trained not only in language but also in the nuances of diplomacy and negotiation.

He also served as an interpreter for European Union President Ursula von der Leyen during the Republic Day celebrations in January 2026.

Why is the role of interpreters crucial in diplomacy?

In high-level diplomatic discussions, the precise meaning and intent of words are of utmost importance. Even a minor misinterpretation can lead to misunderstandings. That is why experienced and trusted interpreters accompany top leaders.

According to Siddharth Babu, language acts as a bridge between different cultures. This is why Sun Ning and Siddharth Babu play a vital role in facilitating dialogue between the top leadership of India and China.