US Vice President JD Vance arrived in New Delhi on Monday for his first official visit to India, accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha Vance, their children, and senior US administration officials. The four-day visit, running from April 21 to 24, is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties across economic, trade, and defence sectors.
Ahead of his arrival, hoardings welcoming Vice President Vance were placed near Palam airport. His visit marks a significant diplomatic engagement and includes a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for 6:30 pm at the Prime Minister’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
Following official engagements in the capital, the Vance family will travel to Jaipur and Agra. On April 23, they are scheduled to visit the iconic Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has previously welcomed global dignitaries, including former US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in 2020.
Adding a personal dimension to the visit, excitement is also building in the village of Vadluru in Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district — the ancestral home of Usha Vance (née Chilukuri). Villagers are hopeful the Vance family will make a stop there, celebrating Usha’s heritage and the family’s ties to the region.
The visit is viewed as a key moment in India-US relations. Speaking ahead of Vance’s arrival, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized the significance of the trip, highlighting ongoing talks on issues ranging from tariffs to a potential bilateral trade agreement.
“We have a comprehensive strategic global partnership… so all relevant issues will be discussed. We are very positive that this visit will give a further boost to our bilateral ties,” Jaiswal said during a press briefing.
Prior to arriving in India, Vice President Vance concluded a three-day visit to Italy, where he held talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and met religious leaders, including a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican.
Vance is scheduled to depart India early on April 24, wrapping up a visit expected to deepen strategic engagement between the world’s two largest democracies.
