Vikram Misri: India's New Foreign Secretary and 'China Expert'

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Before he was appointed as the deputy NSA, Misri served as India’s ambassador to China from 2019-2021.

Early Life and Education

Born in Srinagar in 1964, Vikram Misri completed his early education in Gwalior. He holds an undergraduate degree in history from Hindu College, Delhi University, and an MBA from XLRI.

Career Beginnings

Misri began his career in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) as part of the 1989 batch. Early in his diplomatic journey, he served at Indian missions in Brussels and Tunis.

Diplomatic Career

Throughout his illustrious career, Misri has held various significant positions. He has served as India’s ambassador to Spain (2014-2016) and Myanmar (2016-2018), and he has had stints in Indian missions in Pakistan, the US, Germany, Belgium, and Sri Lanka.

Misri earned a reputation as a 'China expert' due to his extensive experience in handling India-China relations. His most recent ambassadorial role was in Beijing, where he served from January 2019 to December 2021, a period that included the Galwan Valley clashes.

Role in National Security

In January 2022, Misri was appointed to the National Security Council Secretariat, where he reported to NSA Ajit Doval. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in talks between India and China following the 2020 standoff in eastern Ladakh.

Appointment as Foreign Secretary

On June 28, Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri was named the next Foreign Secretary of India. He will assume this role on July 15, succeeding the incumbent Vinay Kwatra. Misri’s appointment comes at a time when India faces various foreign policy challenges, including its frosty ties with China.

Replacement as Deputy NSA

India’s ambassador to France, Jawed Ashraf, is expected to be appointed the deputy NSA, according to a PTI report. Additionally, the government will also need to appoint India’s envoy to the US and New Delhi’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, following the recent retirement of Ruchira Kamboj, the first woman to hold the post.