Narendra Modi (R) welcoming JD Vance and his family to his official residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
New Delhi: The United States vice-president, James David Vance, arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a four-day official visit to India. The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, advancing trade negotiations, and deepening the strategic partnership between India and the US.
Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha Vance, their three children, and a senior American delegation, landed at the Palam Technical Area in New Delhi on Monday morning after spending Easter Sunday in the Vatican and met Pope Francis. The delegation was received by the railway minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Key Agenda and Objectives
The visit comes at a critical juncture as India and the US are in the middle of negotiating a comprehensive trade agreement. The Trump administration has placed a 90-day pause on increased tariffs for key trading partners, including India, with the threat of US tariffs on Indian exports rising from 10% to 26% if no deal is reached by July. Both sides are keen to finalize an agreement that ensures fairness in trade and avoids steep tariffs, with sector-specific discussions scheduled to take place this week.
India is keen to avoid impending US tariffs and is open to reducing duties on over half of its $41.8 billion worth of imports from the US, as recorded in 2024. The proposed trade pact aims to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, enhancing economic cooperation and addressing mutual concerns.
In addition to trade, the discussions are expected to cover defence cooperation, with plans to establish a new 10-year framework to bolster military ties. This initiative aligns with the broader strategic partnership between the two nations, particularly in the context of countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Read also: How Trump’s tariff plans could reshape US-India defence partnership
Meetings with Indian Leaders
On the first day of his visit, Vance met with the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, at the latter's official residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The two leaders held bilateral talks focusing on the early finalisation of the proposed trade pact and ways to boost the overall trajectory of ties between the two countries.
During his visit, Vance and Indian leaders are expected to review progress on defence collaboration, including potential procurement and co-manufacturing of advanced weaponry, such as Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stryker infantry combat vehicles. The visit also serves as a precursor to establishing a new defence partnership framework later in the year.
The US vice-president and Indian leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional security, the evolving geopolitical landscape, and shared global interests, particularly in the context of escalating US-China tensions and India’s growing role as a leader among emerging economies.
Akshardham Temple Visit and Itinerary
Earlier in the day, before meeting Indian officials and the prime minister, the Vance family visited the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in the national capital, where they were warmly received. Notably, Vance’s wife, Usha, is an Indian-American and a practicing Hindu, which brings a personal dimension to the visit.
Vance expressed his appreciation for India’s cultural heritage in the temple guest book, noting how much his children enjoyed the experience. The family also visited the Central Cottage Industries Emporium in Janpath, purchasing traditional Indian handicrafts, and their children charmed onlookers in traditional Indian attire.
On April 22, the Vance family will travel to Jaipur, where they are scheduled to attend a wedding and visit historical landmarks, reflecting the personal and cultural dimension of the trip. The following day, April 23, the delegation will proceed to Agra to tour the iconic Taj Mahal, further highlighting the importance of people-to-people ties and cultural diplomacy.
Throughout the visit, Vance is expected to meet with other senior Indian officials and business leaders, exploring avenues for increased US investment in India, including potential collaborations in electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing. The visit concludes on April 24 with the Vance family departing from India at 6.40am, bringing an end to their cultural and diplomatic journey through India.
