Seasoned diplomat and former spokesperson of the external affairs ministry, Syed Akbaruddin has been appointed as India’s permanent representative to the United Nations.
Akbaruddin, a 1985 batch Indian Foreign Service Officer will succeed Asoke Mukerji who is retiring from the service.
Akbaruddin, currently serving as an Additional Secretary in MEA, is credited with the successful conduct of the largest diplomatic event India has hosted over three decades, the India-Africa forum summit. He was the chief coordinator of the summit.
Though some senior officers too vied for the coveted post, Akbaruddin, who brought many changes to the office of spokesperson was is now tasked with pushing for India’s bid to gain permanent membership of the UN Security Council .
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. He has spent 8 years in Saudi Arabia and was also posted to Indian High commission in Pakistan. Akbaruddin had also served as joint secretary in the administration division.