Overview
- Under Secretary Allison Hooker met Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in New Delhi, stressing expanded cooperation in defence, energy, technology, space and trusted supply chains.
- Washington framed the talks as moving the February Trump–Modi agenda into tangible steps that boost U.S. security, jobs and competitiveness while supporting India’s long‑term goals.
- Hooker is on a five‑day swing through New Delhi and Bengaluru focused on advancing the strategic partnership, growing American exports and collaborating in areas such as artificial intelligence and space exploration.
- A USTR delegation led by Deputy Ambassador Rick Switzer is set to restart bilateral trade negotiations in Delhi, with two days of talks on trade issues and a long‑pending agreement.
- The diplomatic push comes with visible friction, as President Trump threatened an additional 5% tariff on Indian rice and the U.S. has already doubled some duties to 50% citing India’s purchases of Russian crude.