JD Vance India visit LIVE: US Vice President, Second Lady Usha Vance visit Akshardham Temple with kids | Watch
World: Vance is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi today to discuss a bilateral trade agreement. The talks come at a time when Washington’s tariff battles with China have created tension across global markets.
US Vice President JD Vance arrived in New Delhi on Monday (April 21) for his first official visit to India. He was accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, and their three children, Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel, for a four-day trip that combines official talks with family sightseeing.
Vance was welcomed at Palam airport as he is set to begin discussions focused on trade and wider global cooperation.
Talks with PM Modi to focus on trade deal
Vance is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi today to discuss a bilateral trade agreement. The talks come at a time when Washington’s tariff battles with China have created tension across global markets.
According to the White House, the visit is focused on “shared economic and geopolitical priorities”. India also said the trip would “provide an opportunity for both sides to review the progress in bilateral relations”.
US-India trade ties under pressure
Despite strong personal ties between Trump and Modi, India was hit with 26% tariffs on 2 April. Although a 90-day pause has been introduced, Delhi remains cautious about future trade relations.
Officials in India are working hard to finalise the first phase of a trade deal, which both sides hope to wrap up by autumn. India has already reduced tariffs on some American products, with broader cuts expected soon.
Bilateral trade could hit $500 billion
The US is now India’s biggest trading partner, with total trade passing $190 billion (£144 billion). Modi’s recent visit to Washington helped strengthen ties, with both leaders aiming to push that figure to $500 billion.
Modi described the goal as a “mega partnership”.
Farmer protests set to greet Vance
But not everyone supports the deal. On 21 April, the day of Vance’s arrival, India’s largest and oldest farmers’ union, the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), has planned nationwide protests.
The group argues that opening up trade could severely damage local farming incomes, especially in the dairy industry. They have warned that liberalising trade in this sector could hurt millions of small-scale farmers.
Akshardham Temple spokesperson Radhika Shukla told ANI that souvenirs were presented to the Vance family “to preserve unforgettable memories.” She added that during his darshan, Vice President Vance admired the temple’s intricate artwork, meaningful inscriptions and cultural carvings, while his children “thoroughly enjoyed” experiencing India’s heritage.
US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance will travel to Jaipur on Tuesday, where they are expected to visit several historic landmarks, including the iconic Amer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, according to PTI. Later in the afternoon, Vance is slated to deliver an address at the Rajasthan International Centre.
US Vice President JD Vance is now in Delhi after landing at Palam airport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to officially welcome the Vance family shortly. The two leaders are expected to meet this evening, followed by a dinner and scheduled talks at 6:30 pm. Vance was seen stepping off the plane alongside his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance.
US Vice President JD Vance arrived in India with wife Usha and their three kids. While JD and Usha were seen in formal attire, the kids were seen wearing traditional Indian attire. Both sons of Vance were wearing Kurta and Pyjama (an Indian attire), and his little daughter was seen wearing a blue dress inspired by Indian ethnic design.
