Novelist diplomat Vikas Swarup will replace Syed Akbaruddin as the Spokesperson of External Affairs Ministry (MEA). 1985-batch Indian Foreign Service officer Akbaruddin is being promoted as Additional Secretary and is expected to be the Chief Coordinator of the India-Africa Forum Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi in October. Swarup at present looks after the political division of United Nations in the MEA in New Delhi.
Akbaruddin was appointed MEA Spokesperson in December 2011 replacing Vishnu Prakash, who is now Indian Ambassador to Canada.
However, Akbaruddin will accompany the PM on his week-long tour to France, Germany, and Canada from April 9. Swarup is expected to take over from Akbaruddin on his return from the three-nation tour.
1986-batch IFS officer Swarup is well known for his book Q&A which was adapted for the film Slumdog Millionaire. His other famous novels are Six Suspects and The Accidental Apprentice. Apart from United Kingdom, Swarup has served in Turkey, the United States, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Japan. The officer has studied History, Psychology, and Philosophy from the Allahabad University before joining the IFS. His wife Aparna Swarup is an artist.