DIPLOMATIC THAW

According to the US perspective, US Under Secretary Allison Hooker's visit marks another step forward in progressing President Trump's priorities for a strong US-India partnership and a free and an open Indo-Pacific

- DK Giri

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker's visit to India from 7-11 December, day after Russian President Putin left raised the antenna of observers of India-America bilateralism. The purpose and timing of her visit could be interpreted in two ways.

One, despite the 'trade face-off' between the two countries, Hooker's visit could be an attempt to keep the political and strategic ties going.

Second, coming immediately, day after, Putin departed could also mean that President Donald Trump was concerned about Putin's footprint in India at a time when he is trying to somehow broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, and save his face.

Trump is equally concerned about China's growing military might and capabilities which now rival those of the United States.

In the first term, Trump focused his attention on China as the main rival. However, there was no Russia-Ukraine war at that time. That is how Quad initiative was taken to counter China. Quad became the main vehicle for deepening India-America relations improving cooperation in defence interoperability, intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, and India's integration into US-led initiatives on space cooperation, critical minerals, semiconductor supply chains, and artificial intelligence. So, it is understandable that after finishing 'business' in New Delhi, Under Secretary Hooker will visit the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bengaluru.