US top diplomat Allison Hooker arrives in India; visit to strengthen bilateral partnership

New Delhi [India], December 8 (ANI): United States' Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, arrived in India, with her visit set to advance US President Donald Trump's priorities for a strong partnership between New Delhi and Washington, DC, and a free and open Indo-Pacific, the US Embassy in India shared on Monday.
In a post on X, the US Embassy said, "The U.S. Mission is pleased to welcome @UnderSecStateP Allison Hooker to India! 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 @POTUS priorities for a strong U.S.-India partnership and a free and open Indo-Pacific."
https://x.com/USAndIndia/status/1997901860158726326?s=20
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.
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.
In Bengaluru, she will visit the Indian Space Research Organisation and meet leaders from India's dynamic space, energy, and technology sectors to promote innovation in US-India research partnerships and to explore opportunities for expanded cooperation, as per a prior statement by the US Embassy.
Meanwhile, on December 6, India and the United States unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism and renewed their commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation in the field of countering terrorism, including in the UN, Quad and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
The two countries held the 21st Meeting of the India-USA Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism (CT) and the 7th Designations Dialogue here on December 3. The two sides called for additional designations of ISIS and al-Qa'ida affiliates, and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and their proxy groups, supporters, sponsors, financiers and backers, under the UN 1267 sanctions regime, ensuring their members face a global asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo.
India and the United States strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and the recent heinous terror incident near the Red Fort, New Delhi, on November 10 and stressed that those responsible for terrorism should be held accountable.
The meetings underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation in countering terrorism, reflecting the spirit and breadth of the India-USA Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, a Ministry of External Affairs release said. (ANI)