Mr. Sudhakar Dalela joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1993.  He assumed responsibility as the Ambassador of India to Nepal in November, 2026.

Ambassador Dalela began his diplomatic career in Tel Aviv, Israel. He has since served in Indian Missions in Brasilia, Chicago, Dhaka, Geneva, Thimphu, Washington D.C. He has served as the Ambassador of India to Bhutan (2022-2025).

He has served in critical roles in New Delhi, including Director in the Prime Minister’s Office (2009-2011), focusing on India's engagement with its South Asian neighbours, East Asia, and countries in the Indo-Pacific region, Gulf, Middle East and Africa. He has served as Director (North) (2006-2007) and subsequently as Joint Secretary (North) in the Ministry of External Affairs (2016-2019), overseeing India’s relations with Bhutan and Nepal.

Ambassador Dalela has served in the United States in different capacities: as India’s Consul General in Chicago (2019-2020); as Minister for Political Affairs (2011-2014), and as the Deputy Chief of Mission (2020-2022) at the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C.

He has served as Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs (2025-2026), where he oversaw work relating to India’s economic diplomacy; development partnership with countries in the Global South; partnership with Africa; multilateral economic relations; and new and emerging strategic technologies. He has served as India’s Sherpa during India’s Chairship of BRICS for the year 2026.

Ambassador Dalela brings a wealth of experience in trade and economic policy to his role having served as Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and in the Department of Commerce in New Delhi as Director (Trade Policy) and twice at the Permanent Mission of India to the World Trade Organisation, including as India's Deputy Permanent Representative from 2014-2016.

Mr. Dalela earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering. He is married to Namrata, who is a textile conservator, and they have a daughter and a son.