Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India and the US on December 9 reviewed their comprehensive global strategic partnership and discussed key bilateral issues, including trade, investment, defence cooperation and the Trust (Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology) initiative.
The India-US Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) took place in New Delhi, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker.
Hooker’s discussions with Misri focused on cooperation to support India’s long-term goals and to enhance US security, jobs, and competitiveness, the US embassy spokesperson said. Hooker is in India at a time when bilateral relations are under stress due to sharp differences over US trade and tariff policies. US President Donald Trump has hit Indian goods with 50 per cent tariffs, including a 25 per cent punitive levy over Russian oil purchases.
The external affairs ministry said the consultations provided an opportunity for a comprehensive review of the bilateral comprehensive global strategic partnership. The two sides also discussed key issues such as trade, investment, defence cooperation, the TRUST initiative, energy cooperation, including civil nuclear collaboration, technology, critical minerals, and trusted supply chains, the ministry said.
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. India and US welcomed the steady progress across existing dialogue mechanisms. They 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 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,” the US embassy spokesperson said.
