NEW DELHI: US under secretary of state for political affairs Allison Hooker will visit New Delhi and Bengaluru from December 7 to 11, marking another step forward, as the US embassy here said, in advancing President Donald Trump’s priorities for a strong US-India partnership and a free and open Indo-Pacific.Hooker will hold foreign office consultations with foreign secretary Vikram Misri to review bilateral cooperation on a range of issues including the commercial relationship as both countries work to finalise a bilateral trade agreement. A team led by deputy US trade representative (USTR) Rick Switzer is also visiting India this week for talks on the first phase of the agreement.Hookers’s visit is significant as it suggests India and the US will not allow differences over trade to block efforts to advance the strategic partnership. India and the US had last week also held a meeting of their counterterrorism working group in which they condemned the Red Fort terror incident. “Under secretary Hooker’s visit will focus on advancing the US-India strategic partnership, deepening economic and commercial ties, including increasing American exports, and fostering collaboration in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and space exploration,” said the embassy in its announcement.“While in New Delhi, under secretary Hooker will meet with Indian officials to discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific, including through the Foreign Office Consultations with foreign secretary Vikram Misri,” it added.In Bengaluru, she will visit Indian Space Research Organisation and meet leaders from India’s space, energy, and technology sectors to promote innovation in US-India research partnerships and to explore opportunities for expanded cooperation.
