New Delhi: Vikas Swarup, 52, whose book was turned into the blockbuster film Slumdog Millionaire, will become the new spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry on April 18. Mr Swarup will take over from Syed Akbaruddin, who is expected to be promoted.
Mr Swarup is currently posted in New Delhi as Joint Secretary (United Nations - Political).
Mr Akbaruddin was appointed spokesperson in December 2011.
Mr Swarup wrote "Q&A" which was later made into smash hit Slumdog Millionaire by director Danny Boyle.
Mr Swarup's website says, "He penned his first novel, Q&A, in two months, when he was posted in London."
After studying History, Psychology, and Philosophy at the Allahabad University, he joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1986