Modi, Vance hail progress in India-US trade agreement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting US Vice President JD Vance on Monday welcomed progress in the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement and efforts towards enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including energy, defence, strategic technologies.

Modi hosted the US Vice President, Second Lady Usha Vance and the couple’s three children - Ewan, Vivek, and daughter Mirabel - at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence.

During their interaction, Modi recalled his successful visit to Washington DC in January and his discussions with US President Donald Trump.

During their previous meeting in February held on the sidelines of the AI Summit in Paris, Modi and Vance had discussed a range of issues, strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations, during their meeting On Monday, both leaders followed up on their last meeting and reviewed progress in the bilateral relations besides exchanging views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Modi also conveyed his greetings to Trump, saying that he is looking forward to his visit to India later this year. Modi extended best wishes to the Vice President and family for a pleasant stay.

After the talks, Prime Minister Modi hosted the Second family for dinner.

Embracing Indian culture, Vance’s children once again donned traditional Indian outfits for the visit to the PM’s residence.

This is Vance’s first visit to India and besides holding discussions with Modi, the US Vice President and his delegation will also have other engagements in Jaipur and Agra before departing for Washington on April 24.

This is the first visit to India by an American Vice-President in 13 years. The last was Joe Biden, who travelled to India in 2013 as Vice-President to President Barack Obama.

Earlier in the day, Vance, accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha Chilukuri Vance and their three children, visited the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple upon arriving in India for a landmark four-day visit aimed at deepening bilateral ties.

Vice President Vance, who began his international tour with a stop in Italy on Friday, landed at the Air Force Station in Palam, New Delhi, earlier in the day.

His arrival marks a significant diplomatic engagement and the first visit by a sitting US Vice President to India in over a decade - the last such visit being by Joe Biden in 2013.

Vance was received by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the airport.

The visit highlights the renewed focus on strengthening US-India relations, especially amid ongoing negotiations over a long-awaited bilateral trade agreement and enhanced strategic cooperation.

Usha Chilukuri Vance, who traces her family roots to Andhra Pradesh, is part of the trip with their children - Ewan, 7; Vivek, 4; and Mirabel, 2. However, it remains unclear whether the family will connect with relatives in India during their stay.

Vance’s visit comes at a crucial time, with discussions over a trade agreement gaining fresh momentum. The talks, initially triggered by former President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, are now navigating a new phase.

While the US had imposed a 26 per cent tariff on imports, India currently faces a baseline levy of 10 per cent - in line with the standard applicable to most US trading partners except China - during a 90-day pause in the broader tariff rollout.

This is Vice President Vance’s first visit to India and his second bilateral engagement with Prime Minister Modi. Their first meeting took place earlier this year in Paris on the sidelines of the AI Summit.

The Vice President is accompanied by a five-member high-level US delegation comprising representatives from the Pentagon and the State Department.

This is the second high-profile visit by a senior Trump administration official in the current term. In March, Tulsi Gabbard, serving as the Director of National Intelligence, had visited India to attend the Raisina Dialogue and hold talks with top Indian leadership, including Prime Minister Modi.

Vance’s visit reflects the growing significance both nations assign to their evolving partnership. It is expected to set the stage for more high-level engagements, especially as the global geopolitical and economic landscape continues to shift.

Indo-Asian News Service