Pen-down for MEA's new face

Vikas Swarup, who penned a book which was turned into an Oscar-winning film, beside other literary achievements, is the ministry's next spokesman

'Occasional author and fulltime diplomat!' It is what the Twitter bio says of Vikas Swarup, the soon-to-be appointed spokesman of the ministry of external affairs (MEA).

Swarup says "work comes first" and his literary pursuits can wait. However, some of his close acquaintances regard him first as an author and novelist of some excellence and then a seasoned diplomat.

As joint secretary (UN-political) since September 2013, Swarup handles the United Nations' Security Council's (UNSC) reform process. The Government of India has long been demanding a permanent seat at the UNSC. He also been handling other challenging assignments related to the UN Peacekeeping Forces. India has been the largest troop contributor to the UN Peacekeeping Missions since the 1950s.

Swarup has, while authoring three well-received books (Q&A, Six suspects and The accidental apprentice), held several jobs in his career as a diplomat. During the Gulf War of the early '90s, he was in Turkey, implementing the given task of rescuing Indians trapped in the then conflict-hit region. During a tenure in Ethiopia, he was instrumental in getting back Indians there as a result of war with Eritrea.

A 1986-batch IFS officer, Swarup hails from a family of lawyers. Yet, he was always more interested in international relations and exploring of divergent cultures. He studied psychology, philosophy and modern history at Allahabad University.

Swarup - he insists on being referred to first as a diplomat and only then as a novelist in even social circles - also earned laurels for his work as consul general in Osaka-Kobe, Japan, from 2009-2013, when the bilateral relationship, especially economic ties, reached a peak.

"A dynamic, effervescent character" is how a former ambassador refers to him. Swarup believes in doing work in a timely manner. He finished writing his first novel, Q&A, in 60 days. It later went on to become one of the world's popular films, titled Slumdog Millionaire. and won several accolades. The book got translated into 43 languages.

If the buzz within the long corridors of South Block is to be believed, Swarup was "hand-picked" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dynamism and a global reputation. Some of his senior colleagues give credit to his celebrity status and the name he has made even globally for his selection to the coveted post.

However, there are also some who question whether Swarup will be able to handle the new role as effectively as his predecessor. Swarup succeeds Syed Akbaruddin, a 1985 batch IFS officer and considered one of the best spokespersons the MEA has ever had. Always alert with all forms of media platform, Akbaruddin was termed the PM's de facto right-hand man in foreign policy matters almost eight after Modi took charge last May.

Due to meticulous media briefings and readiness to face any question with ease, however uncomfortable they might be, he's earned him the reputation of being the MEA's "most efficient spokesperson".

Akbaruddin will be leaving office on April 18, being promoted as additional secretary, and chief coordinator of the India-Africa Summit, scheduled on October 26-30.

With the present government's emphasis on an elevated foreign policy and special focus on economic diplomacy, Swarup will get little time to nurture his hobbies, which include playing cricket and table tennis.