China Expert Vikram Misri Takes Charge As India’s Foreign Secy

Bhubaneswar: A 1989-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, Vikram Misri — who is popular for his expertise on China — has been appointed as India’s foreign secretary. He assumed charge of the office on Monday.

His appointment gains significance at a time India is looking to navigate various foreign policy challenges, including its frosty relationship with China after the eastern Ladakh border row.

“Shri Vikram Misri assumed charge as Foreign Secretary today. #TeamMEA extends a warm welcome to Foreign Secretary Misri and wishes him a successful tenure ahead,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, wrote on X.

Prior to his new role, Misri was serving as the deputy national security advisor. He will now succeed Vinay Kwatra—whose term was extended by six months in April—as the foreign secretary.

According to a Hindustan Times report, Kwatra may be appointed as India’s envoy to the US.
According to an India Today report, Misri is believed to have played an important role in talks between India and China after tensions developed significantly due to the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020. It was considered one of the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in decades. He had served as India’s ambassador to China from 2019-2021.

He has also served as private secretary to three Prime Ministers—Inder Kumar Gujral, Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi. Misri had also served as India’s ambassador to Spain (2014-2016) and Myanmar (2016-2018). He had stints in many Indian missions, including Pakistan, the US, Germany, Belgium and Sri Lanka.

Born in Srinagar on November 7, 1964, Misri completed his schooling in Srinagar, Udhampur and Gwalior. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history (with honours) from Hindu College in New Delhi. He also holds an MBA from XLRI in Jamshedpur. The Hindustan Times reported that he had also worked for three years in advertising in Mumbai and New Delhi.