Sudhakar Dalela appointed India’s next Ambassador to Nepal
Why in the news
On October 16, 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that Sudhakar Dalela will be India’s next Ambassador to Nepal. He is expected to take up the post shortly.
Key facts
- Appointee: Sudhakar Dalela, an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1993 batch.
- Current post: Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA, a role he has held since September 2025.
- Predecessor: Naveen Srivastava, who has completed his term.
Career highlights
| Post | Period |
|---|---|
| Director, Prime Minister’s Office | 2009-11 |
| Deputy Permanent Representative to the WTO, Geneva | 2014-16 |
| Joint Secretary (North), MEA | 2016-19 |
| Deputy Chief of Mission, Washington | 2020-22 |
| Ambassador to Bhutan | 2022-25 |
| Secretary (Economic Relations), MEA | Since September 2025 |
About the appointee
Dalela began his diplomatic career in Israel. He has also been posted to Brasilia, Dhaka and Thimphu, and he served as Consul General in Chicago. He has been India’s BRICS Sherpa and helped coordinate negotiations during India’s 2026 BRICS chairship.
Exam angle
- Remember who is India’s new envoy to Nepal: Sudhakar Dalela, 1993-batch IFS.
- He previously served as Ambassador to Bhutan.
- His predecessor in Kathmandu was Naveen Srivastava.