Usha Vance, Second Lady of the United States and wife of Vice President JD Vance, has fondly recalled her family’s recent visit to India, calling it a “trip of a lifetime” and sharing touching memories of their interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington, D.C., Vance described how meaningful the experience was, especially for their children, who were visiting India for the first time. From visiting iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal to riding in an auto-rickshaw, the trip was filled with moments of cultural discovery, joy, and connection.
“The visit was incredibly special for all of us,” Vance said. “My children had never been to India. They’ve heard stories about the country, the food, and family, but seeing it firsthand was mind-blowing for them.”
Among the most cherished memories, she recalled the family’s meeting with Prime Minister Modi at his residence in New Delhi. “Meeting the Prime Minister was very special. My children were so taken by him — they put him in the ‘grandfather’ category immediately,” she shared, adding that PM Modi had earlier gifted their five-year-old a birthday present in Paris. “When we visited his home, the kids just ran up and hugged him. He was incredibly kind and generous.”
Usha Vance also mentioned the productive discussions between her husband and PM Modi, emphasizing the personal rapport between the leaders. A puppet show featuring scenes from the Ramayana and folk traditions from across India was a particular highlight for the family. “My kids have been trying to recreate it with construction paper at home,” she joked.
Reflecting on their travels, Vance said the family visited several sites across North India, including the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort, and Akshardham Temple. They also enjoyed India’s diverse cuisine and admired its vibrant cultural heritage.
Each child found something to fall in love with. Eldest son Ewan was captivated by temple sculptures, middle child Vivek was thrilled to see elephants, peacocks, and camels, and young Mirabel cherished her first ride in an auto-rickshaw. “Our daughter loved it so much that the Secret Service even let us drive in an enclosed area for a few minutes,” Vance said.
A particularly charming moment came when their son, impressed by the spread of mangoes at PM Modi’s residence, declared he might want to live there. “The children still talk about it. They’ve seen many places, but this one truly stood out,” she said.
JD Vance and his family were on an official four-day visit to India in April. Their itinerary included cultural visits and high-level meetings, culminating in a warm and personal interaction with Prime Minister Modi and an immersive introduction to India for their children.
