Vikram Misri Appointed as India’s New Foreign Secretary
Dy NSA Vikram Misri to Succeed Vinay Mohan Kwatra
29.06.2024: India has appointed Deputy National Security Adviser Vikram Misri as the new Foreign Secretary. Misri, a seasoned diplomat with a reputation for his expertise on China, will succeed Vinay Mohan Kwatra, who is likely to become India’s ambassador to the United States.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Misri’s appointment, which will take effect from July 15, according to an official notification. This change in leadership comes at a crucial time as India navigates complex foreign policy challenges, including strained relations with China following the border dispute in eastern Ladakh.
A Distinguished Career
Misri, a 1989-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, has a distinguished career. He has served as private secretary to three Indian prime ministers: Inder Kumar Gujral, Manmohan Singh, and Narendra Modi. Before his role as Deputy NSA, Misri was India’s ambassador to China from 2019 to 2021. During this period, he played a pivotal role in diplomatic negotiations between India and China, particularly after the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020.
Key Roles and Diplomatic Stints
Throughout his career, Misri has held significant positions. He was India’s ambassador to Spain (2014-2016) and Myanmar (2016-2018). Additionally, he has served in various capacities in Indian missions in Pakistan, the US, Germany, Belgium, and Sri Lanka.
Future Diplomatic Moves
With Misri’s appointment, other significant diplomatic changes are also expected. India’s ambassador to France, Jawed Ashraf, is anticipated to be named the next Deputy NSA. The government is also in the process of appointing a new envoy to the US and a permanent representative to the United Nations in New York. Vinay Mohan Kwatra is likely to take up the role of ambassador to the US, following the retirement of Taranjit Sandhu in January. The position of India’s permanent representative to the UN is currently vacant as Ruchira Kamboj is set to retire this month.
Vikram Misri’s extensive experience and expertise will be instrumental as he steps into the role of Foreign Secretary, guiding India’s foreign policy amid global challenges.