Slumdog Millionaire author Vikas Swarup to be new MEA spokesperson

India

oi-Avinash

New Delhi, Mar 26: Career diplomat and novelist Vikas Swarup, who authored bestselling novel 'Q&A' on which Oscar winning film Slumdog Millionaire was based, has been appointed as the new official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Swarup, 52, will succeed MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin and take over on April 18. His appointment order was issued on yesterday evening.

Swarup is currently posted in New Delhi as Joint Secretary (United Nations - Political).

Akbaruddin, who is acting as spokesperson since December 2011, is likely to be promoted to additional secretary rank. He has reportedly been appointed as 'Chief Coordinator' of the India-Africa Forum Summit.

Akbaruddin, a 1985 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, is considered an expert on West Asia issues in India.

Swarup, a 1986 batch IFS officer, hails from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh to a family of lawyers. He did his schooling from Allahabad's Boys' High School & College and pursued higher studies at Allahabad University.

Swarup has been working in the MEA headquarters in New Delhi since September 2013.

Slumdog Millionaire directed by Danny Boyle won 6 Academy Awards in the year 2009.

OneIndia News