New Delhi: Vikas Swarup- a senior diplomat, better known as the celebrated author of bestselling novel Q&A, made into Oscar winning film Slumdog Millionaire is set to replace Syed Akbaruddin as the official spokesperson of Indias Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He is expected to take over on 18 April, a day after the return of PM Narendra Modi from his 3-nation Link West tour to France, Germany and Canada.
The appointment order of the 1986 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer- Vikas Swarup to head the external publicity and public diplomacy divisions, was issued late evening on 25 March. He was reportedly chosen for the role by foreign secretary S Jaishankar. Swarup’s larger-than-life persona is expected to help him execute the high-profile responsibility given to him.
Meanwhile Syed Akbaruddin who made quite an impression with his accessibility and quick responses is due to be promoted as additional secretary. For the time being, he has been appointed the Chief Coordinator for India Africa Forum Summit which will be held on October 29 in New Delhi.
Akbaruddin known popularly as only Akbar is likely to be given a high-profile ambassadorial assignment later on. He could be made Indias next High Commissioner in London, a post currently held by former foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai who completes his stint at the end of the year.
Vikas Swarup on the other hand was born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh to a family of lawyers. He did his schooling at Boys’ High School & College, Allahabad and pursued further studies at Allahabad University in Psychology, History and Philosophy.
Swarup is best known as the author of Q&A, his debut novel that was a runaway success and an international bestseller that was translated into 43 languages and adapted into the Hollywood film Slumdog Millionaire. The film was released in January 2009 and won eight of the ten Oscars it was nominated for, the largest number of Oscars won by any film since The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King which won 11 Oscars in 2004.
Swarups subsequent novels Six Suspects and The Accidental Apprentice also proved to be runaway hits. Swarup has been working in the MEA headquarters in New Delhi as Joint Secretary (UN-Political) since September 2013. His previous postings include stints in Ankara, Washington DC, Addis Ababa, London and Pretoria and as Consul General in Osaka-Kobe, Japan.
The post of MEA spokesperson is of course a hot seat and a live wire. The MEA happens to be the only Indian ministry with a full-fledged spokesperson who holds regular briefings. This post assumes even more significance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi neither has a spokesperson nor a media advisor. Of late, JS (XP) has invariably been informally functioning as an extension of the PMO spokesperson.
The outgoing spokesman- Syed Akbaruddin a 1985 batch IFS officer leaves rather large boots for Vikas Swarup to fill, as he has been the MEAs best known and most efficient spokesperson yet.
Akbar who is considered an expert on West Asia issues in India, has served in various capacities in that region including being consul general at Jeddah from 2000 to 2004. He was the director at the Foreign Secretary’s Office of the Ministry from 2004 to 2005. He has rich experience in nuclear-related issues and was on deputation at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna for four years. Trans Asia News
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