New Delhi: The government has appointed Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri as the next foreign secretary. A former Indian ambassador to China, Vikram Misri will succeed current foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra.
Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri will take charge as the foreign secretary on July 15, the government announced on June 28. Misri is known for being a specialist in India-China relations, is expected to bring a special focus on the ongoing tension between Delhi and Beijing.
As Indian ambassador in Myanmar during 2016-2018 when the Rohingya crisis erupted in Rakhine province, Misri handled the situation adeptly. While serving as the ambassador in China (January 2019 – December 2021), he is known to have conducted backroom negotiations with the Chinese authorities during the 2020 Galwan crisis. His diplomatic career also included stints in the Indian missions in Pakistan, US, Belgium and Spain.
Known for his diplomatic acumen and experience, Vikram Misri has served as private secretary to three Indian Prime Ministers: I.K. Gujral, Manmohan Singh, and Narendra Modi. His effective crisis management caught the attention of Prime Minister Modi, leading to his appointment as Deputy National Security Advisor on January 1, 2022.