NEW YORK (TIP) Syed Akbaruddin, a 1985 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, has assumed charge as Permanent Representative to the United Nations. He succeeds Asoke K Mukerji who has retired. This is  his first-ever ambassadorial appointment.

Currently an Additional Secretary in MEA, Akbaruddin was given charge of Indo-Africa Summit that was held in October. Akbaruddin  is credited with bringing a whiff of fresh air into the Ministry’s External Publicity division during his three-and-half year tenure as the spokesperson. He had also brought an effective mix of social and digital media into the External Publicity division.