Born in 1961, Mr. Swarup joined the IFS in 1986 and served in the US, UK, Turkey, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Japan in various Indian diplomatic missions. In April 2015, he was appointed as the MEA official spokesperson to head its Public Diplomacy Divisions succeeding another able IFS officer Syed Akbaruddin. In 2019, he took charge as Secretary (West) at Ministry of External Affairs, looking after relations with Europe, Central Asia as well as the United Nations system. Moreover, he has previously served as the High Commissioner of India in Canada and the official spokesperson of the MEA.
Other than that, Mr. Swarup came to the limelight as the author of the novel Q & A adapted in several award-winning films like Slumdog Millionaire. Slumdog Millionaire became an international best-seller and has been translated into 43 different languages while Swarup’s second novel Six Suspects is available in 30 languages.
“And the goodbyes continue… Hosted my own farewell for colleagues in my office who sustained me and made my job that much easier. Thank you for all your support,” tweeted the senior officer, also sharing a picture with his colleagues.
Mr. Swarup went to Boys’ High School & College at his home town Allahabad and pursued further studies at Allahabad University. His other siblings are a civil servant and an academician and economist.
