Vikram Misri assumed the charge of Foreign Secretary of India on Monday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed warm regards and best wishes to Foreign Secretary Misri for a successful tenure ahead.

“Shri Vikram Misri assumed charge as Foreign Secretary today. #TeamMEA extends a warm welcome to Foreign Secretary Misri and wishes him a successful tenure ahead,” said MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X.

Misri, 59, succeeds Vinay Mohan Kwatra, whose tenure was marked by notable achievements in foreign policy and national security. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar acknowledged Kwatra’s contributions, particularly highlighting his strategic acumen in shaping and executing key policies over the past decade.

“Thank outgoing Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra for his dedication and many contributions in the field of foreign policy and national security. Particularly in the last decade, he has helped strategise and execute so many of our key policies. Wish him well in his future endeavours,” EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X.

The appointment of Misri, approved by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC), brings a wealth of experience to the role. Notably, Misri has the distinct honor of having served as private secretary to three Prime Ministers – Inder Kumar Gujral, Manmohan Singh, and Narendra Modi – spanning different political eras and administrations.

Born in Srinagar in 1964 and educated in Gwalior, Misri holds a Bachelor’s degree in history from Delhi University’s Hindu College and an MBA from XLRI. His diplomatic career includes significant postings, most recently serving as India’s ambassador to China during a period of heightened tensions following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes.

In his early career, Misri worked at Indian embassies in Brussels and Tunis. He became India’s ambassador to Spain in 2014 and to Myanmar in 2016. He has also held positions in several Indian diplomatic missions across Africa and North America.

(Inputs from ANI)