Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has been given a one-year extension on Wednesday , till July 14 next year.Widely regarded as an expert on China, Misri was appointed to the post in June 2024.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension for a period of one year beyond July 14, 2026, that is, up to July 14, 2027, under the provisions of Fundamental Rule 56(d).The rule has a provision for extension in service for the Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Secretary of Research and Analysis Wing, and a few others beyond the age of retirement of 60 years.
Misri, a 1989-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, assumed charge as Foreign Secretary on July 15, 2024. He was scheduled to complete his tenure on July 14, 2026, but the latest decision will enable him to continue leading India’s foreign policy establishment for another year.
Career diplomat Misri, a 1989-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, was working as the Deputy National Security Adviser (Dy NSA) before his appointment as the Foreign Secretary.He has the rare distinction of serving as Private Secretary to three Prime Ministers — Inder Kumar Gujral, Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi.Misri has served in several key positions at the Ministry of External Affairs, the Prime Minister’s Office and Indian diplomatic missions across Europe, Africa, Asia and North America.
During his assignments in New Delhi, Misri worked on the Pakistan desk at the Ministry of External Affairs and also served on the staff of two former External Affairs Ministers — I.K. Gujral and Pranab Mukherjee.Misri is believed to have played a key role in talks between India and China after tensions flared significantly following the Galwan Valley clashes in June, 2020.
He has also served as India's Ambassador to Spain (2014-2016) and Myanmar (2016-2018) besides having stints in many Indian missions including Pakistan, the U.S., Germany, Belgium and Sri Lanka Misri’s overseas assignments have included postings in Brussels, Tunis, Islamabad and Washington DC. He also served as Deputy High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka and Consul General of India in Munich.
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Born in Srinagar, Misri completed his early education in Jammu and Kashmir before studying at The Scindia School in Gwalior. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree with Honours in History from Hindu College, University of Delhi, followed by an MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur.
Before joining government service, Misri worked for three years in the private sector, including in advertising with Lintas India in Mumbai and Contract Advertising in Delhi, besides working in advertising film-making.
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