Former Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India

Akbar has had a long and distinguished career in media and politics, making significant changes at a young age. In 1976, he founded “Sunday,” India’s first independent political weekly newspaper, and in 1982, he established “The Telegraph,” India’s first modern daily newspaper. Later, in 1994, he launched the country’s first international newspaper, “The Asian Age,” and subsequently served as the Editor-in-Chief of “India Today” for three years.

Akbar is the author of several best-selling books about India and the global political challenges facing Islam. Among these are India: The Siege Within – Challenges to a Nation’s Unity (1984) and Nehru: The Making of India (1989), both published by Penguin Books. His other works include Kashmir: Behind the Vale, Riot After Riot, The Shade of Swords: Jihad and the Conflict Between Islam and Christianity, Blood Brothers, The Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan, A Mirror to Power: Gandhi’s Hinduism, The Struggle Against Genocide in Islam, Dulhan Sahib and the Black Zamindar, and his latest book, Gandhi: A Life in Three Campaigns.

Beyond his writing career, Akbar has held important political roles. He served as a member of the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) from 1989 to 1991 and later as a Rajya Sabha (upper house) member from 2015 to 2022. During this period, he held the position of Minister of External Affairs in the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.