Vikram Misri, Secretary of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, has taken the significant step of locking his account on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter. This decision follows a noticeable increase in personal attacks directed at him and his family, which have surged in connection with recent tensions along the India-Pakistan border.
Misri, an esteemed Indian Foreign Service officer from the 1989 batch, began his tenure as Foreign Secretary on July 15, 2024. The surge in online harassment appears to be linked to the public’s reaction to the Indian government’s handling of a ceasefire with Pakistan, leading to widespread criticism.
Responses from various political figures highlight a growing unease regarding the treatment of Misri. Asaduddin Owaisi, President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, has vocally defended the diplomat, emphasizing his integrity and dedication. Owaisi remarked, “Mr. Vikram Misri is a decent and honest, hardworking diplomat working tirelessly for our nation. Civil servants work under the Executive and should not be blamed for decisions taken by political leadership.”
Similarly, the Kerala unit of the Indian National Congress issued a condemnation of the online trolling campaign targeting Misri, accusing him of being unfairly scapegoated. A party statement pointed out that the decisions around the ceasefire were made by the political leadership, including Prime Minister Modi and other senior officials. The Congress party expressed concern for Misri’s family, noting that they had also become victims of vile abuse, forcing him to protect his tweets.
This controversy is reminiscent of a previous incident involving Himanshi Narwal, the widow of an army officer, who faced a backlash online after advocating for peace. The escalation of negative discourse on social media has raised alarms about the politicization of non-partisan civil servants and the potential chilling effect on public service morale. Reports indicate that even Misri’s daughter has not been spared from online attacks.
Vikram Misri’s diplomatic career is characterized by significant roles both within the Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office. He has served as India’s envoy in several key global capitals, including Brussels, Tunis, Washington D.C., and Islamabad. Misri has also been a Private Secretary for three Indian Prime Ministers: I.K. Gujral, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Narendra Modi.
Hailing from Srinagar and educated in Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi, Misri possesses a history degree from Hindu College and an MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur. Before entering the civil services, he gained experience in advertising and film production. Renowned for his deep understanding of foreign policy and proficiency in multiple languages, Misri is also a Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s India Leadership Initiative.
The ongoing incident surrounding his social media activity has reignited discussions about the accountability of the executive, the role of civil servants in a democracy, and the toxicity of political dialogue online, especially in the context of critical national security challenges and heightened border tensions.
