What to Expect from US Under Secretary Allison Hooker's Upcoming Visit to India?

Allison Hooker's Diplomatic Mission to India

From December 7 to 11, Allison Hooker, the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, will be visiting India. During her stay, she is set to engage with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials to discuss crucial topics such as regional security, economic collaboration, and mutual interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

In addition to her meetings in New Delhi, Hooker will head to Bengaluru to visit the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). There, she will interact with leaders from India's vibrant space, energy, and technology sectors, aiming to enhance innovation in US-India research partnerships and explore avenues for deeper cooperation, as stated by the US Embassy and Consulates in India.

The US Embassy emphasized that Hooker's visit aims to strengthen the US-India strategic partnership, enhance economic and commercial relations, boost American exports, and promote collaboration in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and space exploration.

This visit is seen as a significant step in advancing the priorities set by US President Donald Trump for a robust bilateral partnership and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

On December 3, India and the United States conducted a review of various traditional and emerging threats during the 21st Meeting of the India-US Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and the 7th Designations Dialogue in New Delhi.

Both nations condemned terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism, and expressed concerns regarding the increasing use of drones and AI for terrorist activities.

They denounced the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, and a recent attack near the Red Fort in New Delhi on November 10, 2025, stressing the need for accountability for those responsible for such acts.

Discussions also included enhancing law enforcement and judicial cooperation through information sharing and mutual legal assistance.

The two countries explored ways to bolster cooperation against various challenges, focusing on training, cybersecurity, and the exchange of best practices through ongoing bilateral and multilateral efforts.

The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the necessity for sustained and comprehensive action against terrorism, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts, including within the UN, Quad, and the Financial Action Task Force.

They called for further designations of affiliates of ISIS and al-Qaida, as well as groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, ensuring that their members face global sanctions.

The Indian delegation expressed gratitude to the US Department of State for designating The Resistance Front, a proxy of LeT, as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.