Our Bureau
New Delhi
Beginning April 21, US Vice President JD Vance and his spouse, Usha, the Indian-American Second Lady, will travel to India for four days. During their visit, Vance will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discuss ways to strengthen India-US relations and the early completion of the proposed bilateral trade agreement.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made the announcement about the visit on Wednesday. The trip was also separately announced by Vance’s office.
Vance’s trip to India comes as concerns about President Donald Trump’s tariff battle are growing around the world. It is anticipated that both parties will discuss strengthening the planned trade agreement, which aims to address difficulties with supply chains, market access, and levies.
As the world wilted under the weight of the seismic action, Trump announced a 90-day halt on his reciprocal tax for all countries, with the exception of China, only days after it went into effect this month.
US Vice President Vance’s visit comes weeks after Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence (DNI), visited India.
As per MEA, “This will be Vice President Vance’s first visit to India. During the visit, he will be meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 21.”
“The Vice President and his delegation will have other engagements in Delhi and are also scheduled to visit Jaipur and Agra before departing for Washington, DC on April 24,” it said.
Along with prominent members of the US administration, the US vice president will be accompanied by his wife, Usha, and their three young children, Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel.
Vance and the Second Family will also take part in interactions at Indian cultural locations, according to the US statement.
According to those familiar with the situation, Vance and his family are anticipated to pay a visit to the Red Fort shortly after their arrival.
They claimed that Vance will meet with BJP president JP Nadda, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in the afternoon.
According to the sources, Prime Minister Modi will hold a ceremonial dinner in the evening for Vance and his family, which includes his wife Usha, the first Hindu American Second Lady, sons Vivek and Ewan, and daughter Mirabel.
According to them, Vance and family would visit important tourist destinations and hold some engagements in Jaipur on April 22.
According to reports, the US vice president and his family will visit the Taj Mahal in Agra the next day.
Meanwhile, official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said that India has a Comprehensive Strategic Global Partnership with the US, and when such a high-level visit takes place, all issues of importance are discussed. Jaiswal added that India was very certain that the visit would give a further boost to India-US bilateral ties.
The visit is happening amidst the background of Indian students in US being mistreated while receiving communications from the US government regarding their F-1 visa status – including visa revocations, Indian tourists being stopped, and green card holders denied re-entry.
Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are aware that several Indian students have received communication from the US government regarding their F-1 visa status.”
“We are looking into the matter. Our Embassy and consulate are in touch with the students,” he added.
