Syed Akbaruddin will be replacing Asoke Kumar Mukherjee, who will be retiring. (Press Trust of India photo)
Syed Akbaruddin, who was the chief coordinator of the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) held in New Delhi last month, has been appointed as the new permanent representative of India to the United Nations in New York, it was announced today.
"Syed Akbaruddin, (IFS:1985), currently additional secretary in the ministry, has been appointed as the next ambassador/permanent representative of India to the United Nations in New York," an official statement said.
Mr Akbaruddin will be replacing Asoke Kumar Mukherjee, who will be retiring.
After completing a very successful term as the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson in April this year, Mr Akbaruddin was slated to go to Geneva as India's permanent representative to the UN offices there.
However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi handpicked Mr Akbaruddin to be the chief coordinator of the IAFS, a mega event that was attended by all the 54 countries of Africa.
The event went off smoothly with all visiting dignitaries praising the way it was organised.