JOIN USThe author of “Q&A” – the book that was turned into blockbuster film “Slumdog Millionaire” – will now answer questions on behalf of the Government of India.
Vikas Swarup, ace diplomat and celebrity author, has been appointed the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs. He will take over from incumbent Syed Akbaruddin on April 18.
Swarup joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1986 and is currently posted at the MEA headquarters as a Joint Secretary heading the United Nations (Political) division. He is, however, better known as a bestselling author, particularly for his debut novel “Q&A”, which film-maker Danny Boyle turned into award-winning movie “Slumdog Millionaire”.
He has also authored two other bestsellers “Six Suspects” and “The Accidental
Apprentice”.
Swarup, who was born at Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, has been appointed new Joint
Secretary (External Publicity) and official spokesperson.
He has served in various countries such as Turkey (1987-1990), United States (1993-1997) Ethiopia (1997-2000), United Kingdom (2000-2003) and South Africa (2006-2009). He served as Consul General of India in Osaka-Kobe, Japan from 2009 to 2013.
He will replace Akbaruddin, who is set to be promoted to the rank of Additional Secretary soon and will act as the Chief Coordinator for the India-Africa Forum Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi in the last week of October. New Delhi is set to invite leaders of the all the 54 member nations of the African Union, sources said.
Akbaruddin, a 1985 batch IFS officer, is well-known for his expertise on West Asia and nuclear issues.
Sources said that Swarup would replace Akbaruddin only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s return from his visits to France, Germany and Canada on April 16.