India is all set to host the BRICS Summit 2026 for two days. The nation has prepared for the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled to take place on 12 and 13 September 2026. The summit will take place at the Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi, India.
India is holding the BRICS chairship for the fourth time, and it is hosting the historic gathering under the theme ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’. The summit is also happening at the same time as the group's 20th birthday.
There are many world leaders and delegates attending the summit, and it is gaining attention from around the world. There is one Indian diplomat who has the world's eye on him, as he does all the behind-the-scenes work for the nation. He is the key official involved in this process, Sudhakar Dalela, India’s BRICS Sherpa.
Sudhakar Dalela has served as the Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). As his core job, he is responsible for coordinating the position of the nation across the BRICS discussions.
He has been addressed as the Sherpa of the nation, but as a Sherpa, what is his exact role and why is he important for India’s 2026 BRICS Agenda?
Who Is Sudhakar Dalela?
Sudhakar Dalela has an exemplary professional profile that shows he has worked for the nation tirelessly as a diplomat. Sudhakar Dalela is a senior Indian diplomat; he is also a 1993-batch IFS officer. Right now, he serves as Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs. He started working in the position in 2025. He came in after Dammu Ravi, the previous diplomat for MEA. Dalela is a diplomat with over three decades of experience in diplomacy and has taken several important assignments during his career. He has also served as the Ambassador of Bhutan.
His professional experience also includes working as a Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
He has served as India’s Consul General in Chicago from 2011 to 2014, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, and in Indian diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv, Brasília and Dhaka, giving him experience in handling different international and regional issues.
In his current role at the MEA, Dalela handles India’s economic diplomacy and development partnerships, especially with countries of the Global South. He also works on emerging strategic areas, including technology. His role has become important in 2026 as India holds the BRICS chairship. As India’s BRICS Sherpa, Dalela coordinates the country’s position and negotiates with other members. With his years of diplomatic experience, he is one of the key officials working behind the scenes to help India achieve its priorities during the BRICS 2026 presidency.
Related Stories
What Are The Key Roles And Functions of a BRICS Sherpa?
Here’s what Sudhakar Dalela has to do
- Senior Diplomatic Lead: Acts as the main negotiator and coordinator for their country within BRICS.
- Preparatory Work: Helps prepare summit agendas, align policy positions and draft joint declarations.
- Inter-Ministerial Coordination: Brings together inputs from different government ministries, working groups and official bodies.
- Dispute Resolution & Tracking: Helps resolve disagreements between member countries and tracks the implementation of decisions.
- Supported by a Sous-Sherpa: Works with a deputy who handles detailed negotiations and administrative follow-ups.
- Not as the BRICS Chair: Represents their own country, while the country holding the rotating presidency leads the overall BRICS proceedings.
Why Does The Sherpa Role Matter?
The Sherpa is a very sharp Indian diplomat who plays the most crucial role in such summits. He tracks and behaves as the police of negotiation between the leaders and BRICS presidency.
While all the leaders make the final decision, Sherpas handle the details and fine lines of the diplomatic work behind the scenes. India’s first Sherpa/Sous-Sherpa meeting under its 2026 chairship was held in New Delhi on February 9-10, chaired by Sudhakar Dalela. This meeting helped shape the whole blueprint and the roadmap for BRICS this year. Dalela helps turn India’s priorities into practical outcomes that BRICS members can agree on. His role is therefore crucial as India seeks to shape the grouping’s agenda during its 20th anniversary year.
What Is India’s BRICS 2026 Agenda?
|
Focus Area
|
Key Objectives
|
|
Economic & Financial Cooperation
|
Greater collaboration in trade, investment, and development finance.
|
|
Innovation & Technology
|
Cooperation in emerging technologies and digital development.
|
|
Sustainability
|
Focus on climate action, sustainable development, and economic resilience.
|
|
Health & People-Centric Development
|
Greater cooperation in health, education, skills, and social development.
|
|
Global Governance Reforms
|
Greater representation for developing countries in international institutions.
|
|
Stronger Intra-BRICS Cooperation
|
Building consensus among the expanded BRICS membership despite different economic and geopolitical interests.
|