In a significant diplomatic development ahead of highly anticipated India–US trade talks, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker arrived in India, with Washington framing the visit as a major step toward strengthening the strategic partnership.
US President Donald Trump’s aide’s visit comes ahead that of a delegation led by Deputy US Trade Representative (USTR) Rick Switzer in a few days. He plans to be in India for December 9-11, 2025, during which he will meet his Indian counterpart Rajesh Agarwal on the proposed bilateral trade agreement.
Now, as the two economies gear up to resume talks on the much awaited trade talks, US top diplomat Hooker on Monday (December 8, 2025) landed in India. The US Embassy said the visit reflects President Trump’s priorities for “a strong US–India partnership and a free and open Indo-Pacific”.
Top US diplomat in India: What’s on the agenda for Under Secretary’s India visit?
During her stay in New Delhi, Hooker will meet senior Indian officials, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, to review cooperation on regional security, economic and commercial ties, Indo-Pacific priorities, emerging technologies. Her arrival comes as the two nations gear up for what is expected to be a crucial round of trade and economic discussions.
Her agenda also includes reinforcing efforts to increase US exports to India and expand collaboration in AI, space technology, and advanced research sectors.
“While in New Delhi, Under Secretary Hooker will meet with senior 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,” the US Embassy said in a statement.
Why is Bengaluru central to the new push in US–India tech cooperation?
During her December 7-11, 2025 visit, Hooker will also travel to Bengaluru, where she is scheduled to visit the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and interact with leaders from India’s fast-growing space, energy, and tech industries. The US Embassy said these engagements will help accelerate joint innovation and identify new avenues for cooperation in next-generation technologies.
“Under Secretary Hooker’s visit marks another step forward in advancing President Trump’s priorities for a strong US-India partnership and a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the Embassy noted.
Notably, Hooker’s visit comes days after India and the US concluded the 21st India–US Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and the 7th Designations Dialogue, reaffirming their united stance against terrorism “in all forms and manifestations.” Both sides called for more UNSC 1267 designations against Pakistan-based groups like LeT and JeM, condemned recent terror attacks in Pahalgam and near Red Fort.
India-US trade talks: What’s the latest update?
The upcoming visit of the US officials would mark their second trip since the imposition of a 25% tariff and an additional 25% penalty on Indian goods by the Trump administration due to the purchase of Russian crude oil. The US officials last visited India on September 16, 2025.
Commerce Minister Goyal on September 22, 2025, also led an official delegation to the US for trade talks. Goyal had also visited Washington earlier this year in May.
So far, six rounds of negotiations have been held. The trade agreement aims to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, from the current $191 billion. Notably, the United States remained India’s largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year in 2024-25, with bilateral trade valued at #131.84 billion.