India has proposed career diplomat Sudhakar Dalela as its next ambassador to Nepal, choosing a secretary-level official for the Kathmandu posting at a time when bilateral ties are being shaped by issues including trade, connectivity and energy cooperation. 

The Indian government formally proposed Dalela’s name to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for agreement on Tuesday, two officials told the Post. Dalela will arrive in Kathmandu as soon as the Nepal government's approval, as there is no provision for a parliamentary hearing in India.

Dalela currently serves as Secretary (Economic Relations) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, a position he took up in September 2025. His appointment marks a departure from the practice of sending an Additional Secretary-level diplomat to Kathmandu.

Dalela is familiar with Nepal affairs, having served as director (North) from 2006 to 2007 and later as joint secretary (North) from 2016 to 2019 at the Ministry of External Affairs. The North Division handles India’s relations with Nepal and Bhutan.

He joined the Indian foreign service in 1993 and has held a range of diplomatic and policy positions during his career. He was most recently India’s ambassador to Bhutan from 2022 to 2025.

In his current role, Dalela oversees India’s economic diplomacy, development partnerships with countries in the Global South, engagement with Africa, multilateral economic relations and new and emerging strategic technologies. He is also India’s Sherpa for BRICS, IBSA and I2U2.

Dalela has held several senior positions in New Delhi, including director at the Prime Minister’s Office from 2009 to 2011, where he worked on India’s engagement with South Asian neighbours, East Asia, the Indo-Pacific, the Gulf, the Middle East and Africa.

His diplomatic postings have included Tel Aviv, Brasilia, Chicago, Dhaka, Geneva, Thimphu and Washington, DC.

Dalela also has extensive experience in trade and economic policy. He served as Director (Trade Policy) in India’s Department of Commerce and twice at India’s Permanent Mission to the World Trade Organization in Geneva. He was India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the WTO from 2014 to 2016, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

In the United States, he served as India’s Consul General in Chicago, Minister for Political Affairs at the Indian embassy in Washington from 2011 to 2014, and Deputy Chief of Mission from 2020 to 2022.

Before joining the diplomatic service, Dalela earned a bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering. He is married to Namrata, a textile conservator, and they have a daughter, Aditi, and a son, Anant.