JD Vance India Visit Highlights: US Vice President condemns terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam

US Vice President JD Vance, during his first official trip to India, called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “great leader.” Vance reached New Delhi on Monday and thanked PM Modi for a warm welcome that he and his family received at the Prime Minister’s residence on Monday. He said the PM was “incredibly kind” and shared his hope that US-India ties will grow stronger under Trump’s leadership. The two also talked about the India-US COMPACT, a new plan to increase cooperation in defence, technology, and trade. Vance is currently in Jaipur and is scheduled to visit Agra before ending his visit on April 24.

US Vice President JD Vance and his family will be staying at Jaipur’s Rambagh Palace during their visit to Jaipur. Here are the visuals of the tightened security at the Palace:

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#watch | Rajasthan | Visuals from outside Jaipur's Rambagh Palace where US Vice President JD Vance and his family are staying during their visit to Jaipur. pic.twitter.com/MOve7NZfJq

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025

Vance’s visit to India is also being viewed as a step to prepare for former President Trump’s expected trip later this year. Trump is likely to attend a summit of Quad leaders — a group that includes India, Australia, Japan, and the United States. Harsh Pant, who leads foreign policy studies at the Observer Research Foundation in Delhi, said that Vance’s visit comes at an important time, especially with trade discussions currently underway, reported Reuters.

US Vice President JD Vance along with his wife and second lady Usha Vance and children, is expected to visit Jaipur today. Vance will be giving a speech and also experience the vibrant culture and heritage of India and of course, the Pink City.

Earlier in the day, JD Vance made a special stop at Delhi’s famed Central Cottage Industries Emporium (CCIE) in Janpath. The visit turned into a warm and lively experience for both the Vice President’s family and the store staff, as they explored India’s rich handicrafts and artisanal traditions.

Read more: Tea, pottery, papier-mâché and more – What JD Vance bought at Delhi’s cottage industries emporium

PM Modi and JD Vance welcomed the significant progress in the negotiations during their meeting. They also noted continued efforts towards enhancing cooperation in energy, defence, strategic technologies and other areas.

The two leaders also exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward.

Prime Minister conveyed his warm greetings to President Donald Trump and said that he looked forward to his visit to India later this year during a meeting with JD Vance.

“PM and Vice President Vance reviewed progress in bilateral relations. They welcome progress in the India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement and efforts towards enhancing cooperation in energy, defence, strategic technologies. The two leaders exchange views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest,” read a PIB press note.

Videos shared online showed US Vice President JD Vance and his family leaving from the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after holding a bilateral meeting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly discussed ways to strengthen India-US strategic cooperation and addressed Indian concerns over recent changes to US trade policies during his meeting with JD Vance.

According to reports, NSA Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri are also present for the meeting between JD Vance and PM Modi.

The focus of the meeting between JD Vance and PM Modi is likely to be on the early finalisation of a proposed bilateral trade pact as well as ways to boost the overall trajectory of ties between the two countries. The visit comes weeks after US President Donald Trump imposed and then paused a sweeping tariff regime against around 60 countries including India. New Delhi and Washington are now holding negotiations to seal a bilateral trade agreement that is expected to address the issues relating to tariffs and market access.

According to reports, JD Vance has now met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Talks between the two leaders are currently underway and the PM is also scheduled to host Vance and his family for dinner after the discussions.

The two leaders are expected to hold discussions on bilateral ties outlined in February when Modi met President Donald Trump in Washington. The US is India’s largest trading partner and the two countries are now holding negotiations aiming to seal a bilateral trade agreement this year. They have set an ambitious target of more than doubling their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. If achieved, the trade deal could significantly enhance economic ties between the two countries and potentially strengthen diplomatic ties as well.

Vance’s first visit to New Delhi comes amid the backdrop of Trump’s now-paused tariff program against most countries, including India. It also coincides with a rapidly intensifying trade war between Washington and Beijing, which is New Delhi’s main rival in the region.

Modi and Vance are expected to “review the progress in bilateral relations” and “exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest,” India’s Foreign Ministry said last week.

US Vice President JD Vance is slated to visit Jaipur with his family during the ongoing trip to India. He will tour Amber Fort from 9 am on Tuesday. This will be followed by a public address on US-India relations at the Rajasthan International Centre at 3 pm.

Huge traffic jams were witnessed in several parts of the national capital on Monday as restrictions and diversions were put in place across the city for US Vice President JD Vance’s visit.

Commuters heading to work in Delhi from adjoining Noida and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh and Gurugram in Haryana found themselves stuck for a long time due to the traffic congestion.

“Thank you all so much for your hospitality and kindness in welcoming me and my family to this beautiful place. It is a great credit to India that you built a beautiful temple with precision and care. Our kids in particular loved it. God Bless,” he wrote in the guest book.

US Vice-President JD Vance and his family explored traditional Indian handicrafts on Monday during a trip to the Central Cottage Industries Emporium in Delhi.

JD Vance and his family are said to be currently resting before their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The PM will also hold a dinner at his residence for the Vance family. Stay tuned for further updates.

Meanwhile, China has spoken out against countries that are making trade deals with the US amid the ongoing tariff war. Beijing warned it would take counter measures against those who support Washington’s trade moves. Many countries are trying to reach agreements with the US to avoid full impact of the high tariffs, including Japan.

The Vance family on their arrival in Delhi had to step out in simmering temperature of 40 degree Celsius. The family had started their journey in Washington with a temperature of 16 degree Celsius. But no matter the weather, the Vance family was dressed to impress. While the kids were seen sporting full-sleeves Kurta Pajama and Anarkali, Usha Vance was seen donning a fiery red dress.

The Vance family visited the Akshardham temple on Monday and stayed there for 55 minutes, Radhika Shukla, Akshardham Temple Spokesperson told ANI. She said they liked the garden very much and were overwhelmed by the architecture of the temple. They also went upstairs and had “darshan of the idol of Lord Swaminarayan in the sanctum sanctorum”. Shukla said that the VAnce family prayed for world peace.

The main objective of Vance-Modi meeting is expected to be the early finalisation of a trade deal between India and the US, along with discussions on how to strengthen the overall relationship between the two countries, as per reports.

Apart from Delhi, Vice President Vance and his family will also visit Jaipur and Agra. This is Vance’s first visit to India, and it comes shortly after US President Donald Trump announced high tariffs on about 60 countries, including India, and then put them on hold for 90 days.

India and the US are now in talks to finalize a trade deal that will cover important topics like tariffs and easier access to each other’s markets.

US Vice President JD Vance along with his wife and second lady Usha Vance, visited the Akshardham Temple in Delhi today. The Vance family along with their kids went straight from the airport to the temple. They were seen leaving the temple premises a little while ago. Watch Here:

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#watch | Delhi: Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, along with their children, leave from Akshardham Temple. pic.twitter.com/SLCiSoQA85

— ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2025

Commenting on JD Vance’s India visit, BJP MP Anurag Thakur told ANI on Monday that PM Modi has created better relations with other countries under India’s Foreign Policy. Thakur said that other nations have an interest in India and that US_India ties will be strengthened even more after Vance’s visit.

US Vice President JD Vance’s visit to India is special on a personal level, as his wife Usha Vance has Indian roots. After arriving in New Delhi on Monday morning, the Vance family will visit the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple. They will also stop by a shopping complex that showcases traditional Indian handmade crafts and textiles. Besides New Delhi, the family is also expected to travel to Jaipur and Agra during their trip.

Vance’s visit comes at an important time for India, as both India and the US are working together to push back against China’s rising influence in the Indo-Pacific region. During the visit, leaders from both countries are likely to talk about tariffs and the ongoing trade deal. Sources also said that Vance may encourage India to purchase more US-made defense equipment.