New Delhi: Former high-profile Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, Syed Akbaruddin, has been appointed the next Permanent Representative of India to the UN in New York.
This is first-ever ambassadorial appointment for Akbaruddin and he will replace Asoke Mukerji.
Akbaruddin is a 1985 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer.
Currently an Additional Secretary in MEA, Akbaruddin was given charge of of Indo-Africa Summit that was held in October.
He is credited with bringing a whiff of fresh air into the Ministry's External Publicity division during his three-and-half year tenure as the spokesperson.
He had also brought an effective mix of social and digital media into the External Publicity division.
Akbaruddin was Chief Coordinator of the recently-held Indo-Africa Summit here which was participated by heads of state and government of 41 countries from African continent.
He had served at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Geneva and is considered an "expert" on the West Asia where he had served in various capacities.
Later Akbaruddin said it is a privilege and honour to serve India at the UN. "Am humbled. Thank u for all the good wishes. will strive to do my best," he tweeted.
Some reports said that he has been hand-picked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the high-profile top diplomatic job.
His job will become quite crucial as the UN celebrate its 70th year has decided to have for the first time text-based negotiations with all 193-member countries for reforms and expansion of the UN Security Council.
As India lobbies for the permanent membership of UNSC, Akbaruddin will have a very important role to play.
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