New Delhi– U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha Chilukuri Vance and their three children, arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a four-day official visit aimed at deepening strategic and economic ties between the United States and India.
This marks the first visit to India by a sitting U.S. Vice President in over a decade, following Joe Biden’s trip in 2013. Vance began his international tour last week with a stop in Italy before landing at the Air Force Station in Palam, New Delhi, where he was received by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and honored with a ceremonial Guard of Honour.
The visit comes at a pivotal time, as both nations are engaged in renewed negotiations over a bilateral trade agreement and are expanding collaboration in areas such as defense, technology, and regional security.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to host Vice President Vance for formal talks and a private dinner at his official residence on Monday evening. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar are expected to join the discussions.
Sources familiar with the agenda said the talks will cover trade relations, Indo-Pacific security, and opportunities for joint technological innovation and economic growth. The ongoing trade discussions stem from tariff policies introduced during former President Donald Trump’s administration. While the U.S. had initially imposed a 26% tariff on certain imports, India currently faces a reduced rate of 10% during a 90-day pause on broader tariff enforcement—aligning it with most U.S. trading partners apart from China.
This is Vice President Vance’s first trip to India and his second bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi. Their first encounter took place earlier this year at the AI Summit in Paris. That meeting was followed by Modi’s visit to Washington for high-level talks with the current U.S. administration.
Vance is joined by a five-member high-level delegation including officials from the Pentagon and the State Department. The group’s itinerary includes visits to Agra and Jaipur, highlighting the cultural dimension of the trip alongside diplomatic engagements.
The Vice President is traveling with his wife Usha Vance, who is of Indian descent, and their three children—Ewan, 7; Vivek, 4; and Mirabel, 2. Usha Vance’s family traces its roots to Andhra Pradesh, although it remains unclear whether the family will meet with relatives during their stay.
This visit marks the second major trip to India by a senior U.S. official under the current administration. In March, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard attended the Raisina Dialogue and held bilateral meetings with Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Modi.
Vice President Vance’s visit underscores the growing importance of the U.S.-India relationship and is expected to pave the way for further high-level exchanges amid shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics worldwide. (Source: IANS)
