Freshly appointed Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar has been handed over the responsibility of looking after India’s relations with West Asia. This step has been taken as the Center has realised the strategic importance of favourable ties with the region.
His responsibility also includes, India’s relations with the European Union, Central and Western Europe, except the big three — France, Germany, Britain and the United Nations.
The Gulf region is home to nearly five million Indians and key for India’s energy security. The journalist-turned- politician, is known to have the expertise on the Gulf and its politics.
Along with V K Singh, Akbar has also been tasked with improving bilateral ties with West Africa and Eurasian countries, barring Russia.