New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at strengthening India’s global footprint in para-sports, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has appointed Capt. Sumit Yadav as Chairman of its Foreign Affairs Committee. The appointment is expected to give fresh momentum to India’s international engagement and create wider opportunities for the country’s para-athletes on the world stage.
Capt. Yadav is an international relations professional, strategic affairs advisor and sports administration leader with extensive experience in diplomacy and institutional cooperation. His mandate will focus on building global partnerships, deepening ties with international sporting bodies and enhancing India’s representation in global para-sports forums.
Welcoming the appointment, officials described it as a step toward a more coordinated and assertive international strategy for Indian para-sports. The Foreign Affairs Committee is expected to play a pivotal role in facilitating exchange programmes, hosting international events and advocating for greater inclusion of Indian athletes in global competitions and decision-making platforms.
Capt. Yadav’s diplomatic credentials are notable. He has built a broad network spanning Europe, Russia, the Gulf, Africa and South Asia through sustained diplomatic and institutional engagements. He has participated four times in Youth Assembly events at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and also served as an international observer during the Russian Parliamentary Elections in Moscow.
His experience in strategic affairs and cross-border engagement is seen as a valuable asset at a time when para-sports is expanding rapidly and nations are competing for influence, funding and hosting rights. The committee under his leadership is likely to prioritize stronger bilateral sports diplomacy, tie-ups with international federations and long-term partnerships that benefit Indian para-athletes.
Speaking on the occasion, Capt. Yadav expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and underlined his commitment to raising India’s profile in international para-sports. He stressed the importance of global collaboration, athlete welfare and creating pathways that allow Indian talent to compete and excel at the highest level.
The appointment has been widely welcomed by sports administrators and stakeholders, who see it as a positive signal for India’s ambitions in the international para-sports arena. With the Paris Paralympics having showcased India’s rising strength, the new role is expected to build on that momentum and translate it into lasting global influence.
For Indian para-athletes, the move promises more than symbolic value — it signals a push for stronger representation, better access to international platforms and a more unified voice in world sport.
