JD Vance in India: Key highlights from the US vice president's first official visit

NEW DELHI: US Vice President JD Vance arrived in India on Monday for his first official visit, accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance, their three children, Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel, and a high-level delegation of senior American officials.

The four-day trip, from April 21 to 24, comes amid ongoing negotiations between New Delhi and Washington for a bilateral trade agreement aimed at resolving key issues such as tariffs and market access.

The Vance family was welcomed at the Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi by Union minister of railways and information & broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw. JD Vance was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon arrival. Hoardings of the US Vice President were also put up near the airport to mark the occasion.

Arrival and ceremonial welcome

• JD Vance arrived in New Delhi today for his first official visit to India as Vice President of the United States.
• He is accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha Vance (née Chilukuri), their children Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel, and senior officials from the US government.
• The delegation was received at the Palam Air Force Station by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
• A Guard of Honour was presented upon arrival. Hoardings welcoming the Vice President were also seen near the airport.

Focus of the visit

• The visit comes amid ongoing India–US trade negotiations, particularly concerning tariff issues and market access.
• It follows recent policy moves by US President Donald Trump, who imposed and then paused a sweeping tariff regime affecting over 60 countries, including India.

Diplomatic engagements

• Vice President Vance is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 21 at 6:30 pm at the PM’s official residence (7 Lok Kalyan Marg).
• The two leaders will hold wide-ranging discussions on trade, defence cooperation, and broader strategic ties.
• Indian officials expected at the meeting include: External affairs minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, foreign secretary Vikram Misri, ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra.

Religious and cultural visits

• The Vance family also visited the Akshardham Temple in Delhi, known for its architectural grandeur and spiritual significance.
• Their itinerary includes prominent historical and cultural landmarks across Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Rajasthan leg (April 22)
On April 22, the family will travel to Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Key locations on their agenda:

• Amer Fort (Amber Fort) – A Unesco World Heritage site.
• Rajasthan International Centre – JD Vance will deliver a public address here on India–US ties, expected to include foreign policy experts, diplomats, and students.

Uttar Pradesh Visit (April 23)
On April 23, the Vances will head to Agra, where they will visit:

• Taj Mahal – Iconic symbol of Indian heritage.
• Shilpgram – A cultural hub showcasing traditional Indian crafts and artisanship.
• After the Agra visit, the family will return to Jaipur for the night.

Departure (April 24)
The US delegation is scheduled to depart from Jaipur on April 24 at 6:40 am.

Broader significance
This visit follows Vance's diplomatic engagements in Italy and the Vatican, including a meeting with Pope Francis over Easter. The India leg signals continuity and deepening of the India–US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, as emphasized by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

On ongoing trade discussions, Jaiswal noted: “We are talking to the US side so that a bilateral trade agreement can be done... we are very positive that the visit will give a further boost to our bilateral ties.”