In a bid to steady ties strained by rising tariff frictions, Washington has dispatched one of its senior diplomats to India just as a US trade delegation resumes long-pending negotiations. US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker is in New Delhi and Bengaluru from December 7 to 11, tasked with advancing what the US has described as a &ldquo;strategic partnership&rdquo; at a sensitive moment for both sides.
Hooker is expected to meet Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and top officials to discuss expanding economic engagement, improving market access and identifying new areas of cooperation, particularly in emerging technologies such as AI and space exploration. Her visit, officials said, signals Washington&rsquo;s intent to deepen commercial ties despite the turbulence surrounding recent trade decisions.
Her arrival overlaps with that of Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer and his team, who are in India to restart talks on an agreement that has been stalled for years. The timing is significant &mdash; the diplomatic push comes immediately after Russian President Vladimir Putin&rsquo;s high-profile visit to India, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed the resilience of New Delhi&rsquo;s ties with Moscow.
Tensions have sharpened since Washington imposed a 25% tariff, followed by an additional 25% penalty, on Indian goods, measures it directly linked to India&rsquo;s continued purchases of discounted Russian crude despite US pressure. While India maintains that its oil imports are guided by economic and energy security considerations, the US insists the purchases amount to support for Moscow&rsquo;s war effort. The flurry of visits this week reflects both sides&rsquo; urgency to prevent the dispute from overshadowing a broader, strategically vital partnership.

US Sends Top Diplomat to India Amid Tariff Strain

Hooker, trade team arrive to revive stalled talks as tariff tensions rise, India–US ties

US Sends Top Diplomat to India Amid Tariff Strain

Hooker, trade team arrive to revive stalled talks as tariff tensions rise, India–US ties

December 7, 2025 | 18:19 IST