Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri gets one-year extension in service

NEW DELHI : Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri who oversaw India’s diplomacy with partner countries during Operation Sindoor of May 2025 against terror elements in Pakistan, has received an extension for a year that will allow him to serve till July 2027.

Mr. Misri is the second Foreign Secretary to have received an extension. Earlier S. Jaishankar got an extension for a year in 2017.

Mr. Misri has handled multiple important diplomatic engagements of India, especially with the second Donald Trump administration in the United States, and the trade negotiation with the European Union.

A notification of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet and Establishment said Mr. Misri will serve till July 14, 2027.

He has also handled India’s response to the U.S.-Israel attacks against Iran. In the coming year, India is expected to handle difficult trade negotiations with the United States and is expected to host Mr. Trump. That apart the Gulf situation would also require sustained attention as a fragile peace accord between the U.S. and Iran is being tested as Israel continues its military campaigns in Lebanon and Gaza.

India may also hold important outreach events for the Global South during the coming year. The India-Africa Forum Summit was postponed in May because of outbreak of Ebola virus in several African countries and there may be a renewed push to host the summit in the coming months once the Ebola crisis ends in Africa. That apart he will have important regional engagements with Governments of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal to handle during this period.