New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Translating the vision enunciated by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in their February meeting into "concrete progress" was the focus of talks on Tuesday
between US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
Hooker is on a five-day visit to India from Sunday to advance bilateral strategic and economic ties.
The relations between New Delhi and Washington are on a downturn after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent in August including a 25 per cent additional duties for India's purchase of Russian crude oil.
The strain in the relations has been exacerbated by constant criticism of New Delhi by officials in Trump's administration.
Hooker's visit to India came amid efforts by the two sides to repair the ties.
The under secretary conveyed to Misri the Trump administration's keenness to deepen bilateral ties in areas of defence, energy, technology, space, and key supply chains, the US embassy said.
"The meeting was an opportunity to translate President Trump and Prime Minister Modi's vision from their February meeting into concrete progress that enhances US security, jobs, and competitiveness, while supporting India's long-term goals," it said.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the meeting between Misri and Hooker under the framework of foreign office consultations provided an opportunity for a comprehensive review of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
It said the two sides discussed key bilateral issues, including trade and investment, defence cooperation, energy cooperation including civil nuclear collaboration, technology, critical minerals, trusted supply chains and the TRUST initiative.
The discussions also covered regional and global developments of mutual interest, with both sides underscoring their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, the MEA said.
Modi had travelled to Washington DC in February and held talks with President Trump that produced a set of ambitious goals to further broad-base the India-US strategic ties.
Following the talks, India pledged to buy more American oil, gas and military platforms including F-35 fighter jets from the US.
The two sides also agreed to negotiate a mega trade deal and set a target of USD 500 billion in annual trade by 2030 to narrow the trade deficit.
"The under secretary emphasised the United States' aim to deepen cooperation in defense, energy, technology, space, and trusted supply chains and the value of US-India cooperation that fuels US innovation while supporting India's rise as a global technology leader," the US embassy said.
It said Hooker "expressed appreciation for the foreign secretary's continued partnership as both the United States and India pursue shared priorities that deliver tangible benefits for the American people and complement India's national objectives".
The MEA said both sides also welcomed the "steady progress" across existing dialogue mechanisms and agreed to give momentum to the implementation of "Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology (COMPACT) for the 21st Century" to drive transformative cooperation across key pillars of the partnership.
The India-US TRUST (Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) initiative was unveiled in February to build secure supply chains, foster innovation, and deepen cooperation in critical and emerging technologies like AI and semiconductors.
India and the US are currently holding talks for a trade deal.
The US has been putting pressure on India to cut its procurement of Russian crude oil as it believes Moscow is financing its war against Ukraine using the oil revenue.
India turned to purchasing Russian oil sold at a discount after Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow and shunned its supplies over its invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022.
Consequently, from a mere 1.7 per cent share in total oil imports in 2019-20, Russia's share increased to 35.1 per cent in 2024-25, and it is now the biggest oil supplier to India.
In the last few weeks, India's procurement of Russian crude oil has declined following American sanctions on two leading Russian oil giants. PTI MPB ZMN
