US under secretary of state Allison Hooker meets foreign secretary Vikram Misri

NEW new delhi: US below secretarial assistant of tell for political affairs Allison fighting joe hooker met foreign secretary Vikram Misri on Tuesday to discuss cooperation aimed at supporting India’s long-term goals and enhancing US security, jobs and competitiveness.Hooker is on a four-day visit to New Delhi and Bengaluru at a time when bilateral relations are under stress due to sharp differences over US trade and tariff policies. US President Donald Trump has hit Indian goods with 50% tariffs, including a 25% punitive levy over Russian oil purchases.At the meeting with Misri, Hooker emphasised the US’s aim to deepen cooperation in defence, energy, technology, space and trusted supply chains and the value of bilateral cooperation that fuels US innovation while supporting India’s “rise as a global technology leader”, the US embassy spokesperson said.“The meeting was an opportunity to translate President Trump and Prime Minister Modi’s vision from their February meeting into concrete progress that enhances US security, jobs and competitiveness, while supporting India’s long-term goals,” the spokesperson said.Modi and Trump had agreed at their meeting to finalise the first tranche of a bilateral trade agreement by the fall and to more than double total bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. They also agreed to accelerate defence technology cooperation across space, air defence, missile, maritime and undersea technologies.Hooker also expressed appreciation for Misri’s continued partnership as the US and India “pursue shared priorities that deliver tangible benefits for the American people and complement India’s national objectives”, the spokesperson said.There was no official word from the Indian side on the meeting.The US state department had earlier said Hooker’s visit would focus on advancing the bilateral strategic partnership, deepening economic and commercial ties, including increasing American exports, and fostering collaboration in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and space exploration.Hooker’s discussions in New Delhi would focus on regional security, economic cooperation and shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific. In Bengaluru, Hooker will visit the Indian Space Research Organisation and meet representatives from the space, energy, and technology sectors to promote innovation and explore opportunities for expanded cooperation.The new US deputy trade representative, Rick Switzer, will also visit India on December 10-11. This is a familiarisation visit, and Switzer will meet senior Indian officials, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Monday.“As you are aware, both governments remain engaged with a view to concluding a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial multi-sectoral bilateral trade agreement,” Jaiswal said.