The government stated on June 28 that Vikram Misri, the Deputy National Security Advisor, will assume the role of Foreign Secretary on July 15. Former Indian ambassador to China Mr. Misri will take over as Foreign Secretary from Vinay Mohan Kwatra.
The Personnel Ministry released a statement announcing the appointment of Vikram Misri, IFS (1989), Deputy National Security Advisor in the National Security Council Secretariat, to the position of Foreign Secretary effective July 15, 2024, succeeding Shri Vinay Kwatra. Given his reputation as an expert on India-China relations, Mr. Misri is anticipated to provide particular attention to the ongoing strain between Beijing and Delhi.
Among Mr. Misri’s notable overseas assignments is Myanmar, where he served as India’s ambassador from 2016 to 2018, the year that the Rohingya crisis in Rakhine state broke out. In 2019, he was then dispatched to China, where he functioned as an ambassador until 2021. It is well known that during the 2020 Galwan issue, he held secret talks with Chinese officials.
During his diplomatic career, he also served at the Indian embassies in Pakistan, the United States, Belgium, and Spain.
Sources indicate that Jawed Ashraf, India’s ambassador to France, may step in to take Misri’s place as deputy NSA in the interim.
It is also understood that the government is in the process of designating New Delhi’s permanent representative to the UN in New York and India’s envoy to the US.
Those with knowledge of the situation claimed that Kwatra is anticipated to serve as the US ambassador going forward. Ever since Taranjit Sandhu retired in January, the position has been unfilled.
