Vikram Misri to garner the Post of Foreign Secretary whereas Vinay Kwatra to step down from it

Vikram Misri, a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in China, is set to become India’s next foreign secretary, replacing Vinay Kwatra

Vikram Misri, currently serving as Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA), will assume his new role on July 15, as announced by the government. Born in Srinagar on November 7, 1964, Misri graduated in History from Hindu College, University of Delhi, and later earned an MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur. An officer from the 1989 batch of the Indian Foreign Service, Misri has held several key positions throughout his career, including serving as private secretary to three prime ministers: Narendra Modi, Manmohan Singh, and Inder Kumar Gujral. His last ambassadorial posting was in Beijing from January 2019 to December 2021, during the Galwan clashes, solidifying his reputation as a China expert. Since January 2022, he has been the Deputy NSA, reporting to NSA Ajit Doval.

Vikram Misri’s deep understanding of China is seen as crucial, given the current foreign policy challenges India faces with China. His roles in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office have prepared him well for the position of foreign secretary. The outgoing foreign secretary, Vinay Kwatra, is expected to become the next envoy to the US. Jawed Ashraf, India’s ambassador to France and a former joint secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, will likely succeed Misri as Deputy NSA. Vikram Misri’s appointment is a strategic move, leveraging his extensive experience and expertise in handling complex international relations, particularly with China, to navigate India’s foreign policy in a challenging global landscape.

[Image Source: First Source]