WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker has arrived in India for a multi-day official visit focused on advancing strategic cooperation, regional security, and shared priorities across the Indo-Pacific. Her schedule includes high-level Foreign Office Consultations with India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
The U.S. Embassy in India said Hooker’s visit underscores the Biden administration’s commitment to deepening ties with New Delhi and supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific. “As we continue to press forward in the U.S.–India relationship on a number of issues critical to our economic and national security, the Under Secretary’s visit will help advance U.S. priorities for a strong U.S.–India partnership and a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the Embassy posted on X.
During her stay, Hooker will also travel to Bengaluru to visit the Indian Space Research Organisation and meet leaders from India’s space, energy, and technology sectors. The goal, according to the embassy, is to promote innovation within U.S.–India research partnerships and explore areas for expanded collaboration, including artificial intelligence and space exploration.
A statement from the U.S. Embassy noted that the visit will focus on strengthening the strategic partnership, deepening commercial ties, expanding American exports, and fostering cooperation in emerging technologies.
Hooker’s arrival follows a series of recent security-focused engagements between the two countries. Last week, India and the United States held the 21st meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and the 7th Designations Dialogue in New Delhi, where both sides reviewed traditional and emerging threats, including terrorist recruitment, misuse of technology, and terrorism financing.
The joint statement released after the meetings said both countries “unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism,” and expressed concern over the growing use of drones, unmanned aerial vehicles, and AI for terror activities. They also condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the November 10 attack near the Red Fort in New Delhi.
Officials from both sides discussed strengthening law enforcement and judicial cooperation, improving information sharing, supporting mutual legal assistance requests, and enhancing collaboration in cybersecurity, training, and counter-terrorism best practices. They reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral efforts through the UN, the Quad, and the Financial Action Task Force.
India and the United States also called for additional UN sanctions designations against ISIS and al-Qaida affiliates, as well as Pakistan-based groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and their associated financiers and backers.
Hooker’s meetings in New Delhi are expected to build on this momentum as the two countries continue aligning their strategic and security priorities amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. (Source: IANS)
