JD Vance, Usha on 4-day India visit from Apr 21; trade deal likely on agenda
The US and India announced earlier that they would negotiate the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement by the fall of 2025
US Vice-President JD Vance and his wife Usha, the Indian-American Second Lady, will pay a four-day visit to India beginning next Monday (April 21). Vance is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which with likely focus on early finalisation of the proposed bilateral trade pact and ways to bolster India-US ties.
Vance is travelling to India amid rising global concerns over President Donald Trump’s tariff tussle, and both sides are likely to deliberate on firming up of the proposed trade deal that is aimed at addressing issues relating to levies, market access and supply chains.
Also read: 'Zero-for-zero' tariff strategy under India-US trade pact unlikely
MEA’s announcement
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the visit on Wednesday. Vance’s office also announced the trip separately. “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 MEA said.
“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.
Vance and Usha will be accompanied by their three young children — Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel — and senior members of the US administration.
“The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review the progress in bilateral relations and the implementation of the outcomes of the India-US Joint Statement issued on February 13 during the visit of the Prime Minister to the US,” the MEA said in a statement.
It said the two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.
Also read: Trump tariff cuts: World waits in fear; India quickly finalises terms for US trade deal
Delhi, Jaipur, Agra on itinerary
Vance’s office said he will be visiting Italy and India from April 18 to 24, and he will discuss “shared economic and geopolitical priorities with leaders in each country”.
“In India, the Vice President will visit New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. The Vice President will hold meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” it said.
The US readout said Vance and the Second Family will also participate in engagements at cultural sites in India.
Vances’ schedule
Soon after their arrival, Vance and his family are expected to visit the Red Fort, people familiar with the matter told news agency PTI.
In the afternoon, Vance will meet National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and BJP president JP Nadda, they said.
Prime Minister Modi will interact with the Vances and host them for a formal dinner in the evening, PTI reported.
The family will travel to Jaipur on April 22 and visit key tourist sites and have some engagements. They will travel to Agra the next day to visit the Taj Mahal.
Also read: JD Vance’s Greenland visit sparks row after Second Lady’s humiliating experience
Trump’s tariffs
Vance is travelling to India against the backdrop of Trump’s policy on tariffs that triggered massive trade disruptions and fears of a global economic recession.
Days after his reciprocal tariff kicked in this month, Trump announced a 90-day pause on it for all countries, except China as countries around the world wilted under the impact of the seismic action.
The US president’s tariff tussle has stoked fears of a global trade war.
Following talks between Modi and Trump in Washington DC in February, the two sides announced that they would negotiate the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement by the fall of 2025.
Also read: President Trump's executive order targets the Smithsonian, faces backlash
UN NSA’s visit postponed
US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz had also planned to visit India early next week but the trip has been postponed, people familiar with the matter said.
In Rome, Vance will hold talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni before meeting with the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to participate in ceremonies ahead of Easter Sunday.
The visit by Vance is taking place weeks after US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard travelled to India.
The DNI held separate meetings with Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, and NSA Doval.
(With agency inputs)