Kathmandu, October 8, 2026: The Indian government has officially proposed senior career diplomat Sudhakar Dalela as its next Ambassador to Nepal. The nomination comes after outgoing Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava completed his tenure and returned to New Delhi last week.
According to media reports, the Indian side forwarded Dalela’s name to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday to secure the mandatory agrément (consent).
A 1993-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, Dalela brings extensive expertise in South Asian affairs and a deep understanding of Nepal-India relations. Throughout his distinguished three-decade diplomatic career, he has served in Indian missions in Israel, Brazil, the United States, Bangladesh, Geneva, and Bhutan. Most recently, he served as the Ambassador of India to Bhutan from 2022 to 2025.
Dalela is intimately familiar with the region, having previously served as Joint Secretary (North) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) from 2016 to 2019, where he directly oversaw affairs related to Nepal and Bhutan. Prior to that, he was a Director in the North Division (2006–2007) and served as a Director in the Prime Minister’s Office (2009–2011). During his stint at the PMO, he managed critical portfolios concerning South Asian neighbors, East Asia, the Indo-Pacific region, the Gulf, the Middle East, and African nations.
Beyond regional diplomacy, Dalela possesses significant experience in trade and economic affairs. He previously served as Director of Trade Policy in India’s Ministry of Commerce and held two postings at the Permanent Mission of India to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, serving as the Deputy Permanent Representative from 2014 to 2016.
His diplomatic footprint in the United States includes roles as the Consul General of India in Chicago, as well as the Minister of Political Affairs and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Currently, Dalela holds the prominent position of Secretary (Economic Relations) at the MEA, a role he assumed on September 1, 2025. His primary responsibilities include economic diplomacy, development partnerships, and multilateral economic relations. He also actively serves as India’s Sherpa for BRICS, IBSA, and I2U2.
Given his direct experience with Nepal, background in economic diplomacy, and deep understanding of the region’s geopolitical landscape, Dalela’s proposed appointment is considered a highly significant move by New Delhi to further strengthen bilateral ties. He is expected to formally assume office in Kathmandu soon after receiving official approval from the Government of Nepal.
