Vikram Misri, currently serving as Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA), has been appointed as India’s next foreign secretary, succeeding Vinay Mohan Kwatra. Kwatra, who received a six-month extension in March, is expected to assume the role of the next envoy to the US.
“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Misri, Deputy NSA in the National Security Council Secretariat, to the post of Foreign Secretary with effect from July 15,” according to the order issued by the Personnel Ministry on June 28.
An Indian Foreign Service (IFS) 1989 batch officer, Misri has had a distinguished career, having served as private secretary to Prime Ministers Narendra Modi, Manmohan Singh, and Inder Kumar Gujral.
Born on November 7, 1964, in Srinagar, Misri completed his undergraduate studies in History from Hindu College, University of Delhi, and later earned an MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur.
His diplomatic postings include significant roles in Brussels, Tunis, Spain, and Myanmar, along with service in Belgium, Pakistan, the US, Sri Lanka, and Germany.
In 2014, Misri was made India’s ambassador to Spain and in 2016 he was made Myanmar envoy.
Misri’s tenure as India’s ambassador to China from 2019 to 2021 was marked by his crucial involvement in diplomatic negotiations following the military standoff in the Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in May 2020. In the Galwan Valley clash, 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops were killed.
He held his last ambassadorial posting in Beijing and is considered one of the top officials handling China affairs in the external affairs ministry.
His expertise in China affairs positions him strongly for the role of foreign secretary, given his deep understanding of the neighbour, which remains India’s primary foreign policy challenge.
Since January 2022, Misri has served in the National Security Council Secretariat under NSA Ajit Doval.
Jawed Ashraf, currently India’s ambassador to France and a former joint secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office under both Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi, is likely to succeed Misri at the National Security Council Secretariat, according to sources.
