US and India Work to Strengthen Defense and Energy Ties Amid Trade Tensions: A Diplomatic Effort to Rebuild Relations

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker arrived in India for a five-day visit starting Sunday, focused on strengthening bilateral strategic and economic relationships.

New Delhi:

Tuesday's discussions between US Under Secretary Allison Hooker and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri centered on transforming the vision outlined by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their February meeting into "concrete progress" for both nations.

Hooker's five-day diplomatic mission to India aims to advance the strategic partnership between Washington and New Delhi across multiple domains.

Relations between the two countries have experienced strain following Trump's decision in August to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent, including an additional 25 percent duty specifically targeting India's purchases of Russian crude oil. Critical remarks from Trump administration officials have further complicated the bilateral relationship.

This high-level visit represents an effort by both governments to repair and strengthen ties amid recent tensions.

During their meeting, Hooker conveyed the Trump administration's strong interest in deepening cooperation across defense, energy, technology, space, and critical supply chains, according to the US embassy statement.

"The meeting provided an opportunity to translate President Trump and Prime Minister Modi's February vision into tangible progress enhancing US security, jobs, and competitiveness, while supporting India's long-term development objectives," the embassy noted.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the meeting as a comprehensive review of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership under the framework of foreign office consultations.

Both officials discussed key areas including trade and investment, defense collaboration, energy cooperation with civil nuclear elements, technology, critical minerals, trusted supply chains, and the TRUST initiative. Their conversation also encompassed regional and global developments of mutual interest, with both sides affirming commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

During Modi's February visit to Washington DC, talks with President Trump established ambitious goals for expanding India-US strategic cooperation.

India committed to increasing purchases of American oil, gas, and military hardware, including F-35 fighter jets. The countries also agreed to work toward a comprehensive trade deal with a target of $500 billion in annual trade by 2030 to reduce the trade deficit.

"The under secretary emphasized America's aim to deepen cooperation in defense, energy, technology, space, and trusted supply chains, highlighting the value of bilateral cooperation that drives US innovation while supporting India's emergence as a global technology leader," according to the US embassy statement.

The embassy added that Hooker "expressed appreciation for the foreign secretary's continued partnership as both nations pursue shared priorities delivering tangible benefits for American citizens while complementing India's national objectives."

The MEA noted that both sides welcomed "steady progress" across existing dialogue mechanisms and agreed to accelerate implementation of "Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology (COMPACT) for the 21st Century" to enhance cooperation across key partnership areas.

The India-US TRUST (Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) initiative, unveiled in February, aims to establish secure supply chains, foster innovation, and strengthen cooperation in critical and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors.

Trade negotiations between India and the US are currently underway as Washington continues urging New Delhi to reduce its Russian oil imports, which it believes finance Moscow's war against Ukraine.

India increased its purchases of discounted Russian oil following Western sanctions against Moscow after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. As a result, Russia's share of India's oil imports rose dramatically from 1.7 percent in 2019-20 to 35.1 percent in 2024-25, making Russia India's largest oil supplier.

Recently, India's Russian crude oil procurement has decreased following American sanctions against two major Russian oil companies.