New Delhi: Vikas Swarup, whose book ‘Q&A' was turned into the blockbuster film ‘Slumdog Millionaire', is set to take over as the next spokesperson of the Indian external affairs ministry, replacing Syed Akbaruddin who is due for promotion to the rank of additional secretary, sources said on Thursday.
Swarup is expected to take charge on April 18 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's return from his official visit to France, Germany and Canada.
The 1986 batch Indian Foreign Service officer is presently joint secretary, UN political division. Swarup is an alumnus of Allahabad University where he studied History, Psychology, and Philosophy.
Akbaruddin was appointed spokesperson in December 2011. A 1985 batch IFS officer Akbaruddin will work as chief coordinator for the India Africa Forum Summit which is being seen as one of India's most significant diplomatic events at home this year. After the summit, he can be appointed as Indian High Commissioner at London.
(With agency inputs)
