Responsibility given to Akbar, a journalist-turned- politician, also includes India's relations with the European Union, Central and Western Europe, except the big three -- France, Germany and Britain.
The Gulf region is home to nearly five million Indians and key for India's energy security. Akbar is known to have expertise on the Gulf and its politics.
The Modi government has been trying to put India's ties with countries of the region on a new trajectory.
Akbar, the second Minister of State along with V K Singh, will also handle issues relating to the United Nations.
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