JD Vance Begins India Visit with Cultural Tours and High-Level Talks with PM Modi

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in India for a four-day official visit, combining strategic meetings with cultural immersion. The trip comes amid growing global trade tensions and seeks to reinforce India–US relations.

US Vice President JD Vance arrived at New Delhi’s Palam Airport on Monday morning, marking the start of his first official visit to India. Accompanied by his Indian-origin wife, Usha Vance, their children, and senior American officials, the visit will run through April 24, spanning three cities and a mix of diplomacy and cultural engagements.

The four-day tour is set against the backdrop of rising global trade tensions, especially following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 26% tariff on Indian goods. The visit is expected to play a key role in addressing these developments while strengthening bilateral ties.

Vance was welcomed at the airport by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, with special hoardings set up in anticipation of his arrival. His first major engagement took place the same evening, with a meeting scheduled at 6:30pm with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, the PM’s official residence.

The meeting is expected to focus on the progress of the India–US trade agreement and explore new areas of cooperation. Prime Minister Modi’s own packed schedule, including an upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia (April 22–23), underscores the importance of this engagement. Key Indian attendees are expected to include External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra.

Beyond diplomacy, the Vance family’s itinerary includes cultural immersion. The family will visit Swaminarayan Akshardham temple and a traditional market in Delhi before heading to Jaipur later that day. There, they will be welcomed by Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma and the Governor, with accommodations arranged at the historic Rambagh Palace.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

April 22 – Day 2:
Vance will tour Amer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is expected to visit Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and other Jaipur landmarks. He will also deliver a public address on India–US relations under the Trump administration at the Rajasthan International Centre, attended by diplomats, scholars, and government officials.

April 23 – Day 3:
The Vice President and his family will travel to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal and Shilpgram, a local crafts hub, before returning to Jaipur in the evening.

April 24 – Day 4:
The Vance delegation will depart from Jaipur in the morning, concluding the official visit.

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