Ambassador Vikram Misri becomes 3rd Kashmiri to assume charge of India's Foreign Secretary

New Delhi, July 15: Ambassador Vikram Misri, a seasoned diplomat, took charge as India's Foreign Secretary.

Ambassador Misri, a 1989 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, brings a wealth of experience from his extensive career, having held various significant positions both within the Ministry of External Affairs and in Indian Missions across the globe.

Throughout his career, Ambassador Misri has demonstrated his expertise in international diplomacy. In New Delhi, he has worked on the Pakistan desk at the Ministry of External Affairs and served on the staff of two Foreign Ministers, Mr. I.K. Gujral and Mr. Pranab Mukherjee. His contributions were further recognized through his role as Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office and as Private Secretary to three Prime Ministers of India: I.K. Gujral, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Shri Narendra Modi.

Ambassador Misri's overseas assignments have been equally distinguished. He has held positions in Brussels, Tunis, Islamabad, and Washington D.C., and served as Deputy High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka and Consul General of India in Munich.

His ambassadorial appointments include serving as India’s Ambassador to Spain in 2014, to Myanmar in 2016, and to the People’s Republic of China from January 2019 to December 2021. Most recently, he was the Deputy National Security Adviser (Strategic Affairs) of India, a role he held from January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024.

Ambassador Misri's roots in Jammu and Kashmir have significantly shaped his worldview and career. Born in Srinagar, he received his early education at Burn Hall School and DAV School in the region, followed by Carmel Convent School in Udhampur.

These formative years in Kashmir imbued him with a deep understanding of the region's unique cultural and geopolitical dynamics, which have been instrumental in his diplomatic engagements.

He completed his schooling at the prestigious Scindia School in Gwalior before pursuing higher education at Hindu College, University of Delhi, earning a Bachelor’s degree with Honours in History. He also holds an MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur. Before joining the government, he gained experience in the private sector, working in advertising at Lintas India in Bombay and Contract Advertising in Delhi, as well as in advertising film-making.

Ambassador Misri is the third Kashmiri Pandit to be appointed as India's Foreign Secretary. Previously, R. K. Nehru (1952-1955) and T. N. Kaul (1968-1972), both of Kashmiri descent, have held this prestigious position.

He is proficient in Hindi, English, and Kashmiri, and has a working knowledge of French. Ambassador Misri is a Fellow of the Aspen Institute USA´s India Leadership Initiative (now the Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellowship).

Ambassador Misri is married to Dolly Misri, and they have two children. His appointment as Foreign Secretary marks a significant chapter in his distinguished career, bringing his deep expertise and commitment to India's diplomatic endeavours.

His journey from the serene valleys of Kashmir to the highest echelons of Indian diplomacy underscores his dedication and the diverse experiences he brings to his new role.