US-India Strategic Partnership Gets a Boost with VP J.D. Vance’s Visitt hat signals deeper bilateral collaboration on trade, defense, and shared democratic values.
US Vice President J D Vance accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha Chilukuri and their three children today arrived in New Delhi on a four-day visit to India. He was received by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. He is accompanied by the Second Lady of the US, Usha Vance, and senior members of the U.S. Administration. This is Vice President Vance’s first visit to India. He will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening. The Vice President will have other engagements in Delhi and is also scheduled to visit Jaipur and Agra.
The visit of US Vice President J D Vance to India will provide an opportunity for both sides to review the progress in bilateral relations and the implementation of the outcomes of the India-U.S. Joint Statement issued on 13th February this year during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US. The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest. India and the United States enjoy a comprehensive global strategic partnership covering almost all areas of human endeavour, driven by shared democratic values, convergence of interests on a range of issues, and vibrant people-to-people contacts. Regular dialogue between the Leaders of both sides is an important element of the expanding bilateral ties
India and the United States continue to strengthen their comprehensive global strategic partnership, rooted in shared democratic values, mutual interests, and vibrant people-to-people ties. As the world’s two largest democracies forge ahead with cooperation across various sectors, the upcoming visit of US Vice President J.D. Vance marks a significant step in reinforcing bilateral relations.
Vice President Vance’s trip to India, beginning this week, is a landmark event in Indo-US diplomacy. It is the first official visit to India by a sitting US Vice President in over a decade — the last being then Vice President Joe Biden’s visit in 2013. His visit underscores the increasing importance Washington places on its strategic partnership with New Delhi.
The visit comes in the wake of the India-US Joint Statement released on February 13 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States. During his stay in India, Vance will focus on furthering trade ties, implementing outcomes of the joint statement, and deepening the overall strategic dialogue.
On Monday evening, Prime Minister Modi will host Vice President Vance at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, for formal talks followed by a private dinner. The agenda will prominently feature discussions on a long-anticipated India-US bilateral trade agreement and ways to bolster strategic, economic, and defense cooperation.
India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar are expected to join the high-level discussions. The US delegation accompanying Vice President Vance includes five senior officials, with representatives from the Pentagon and the State Department, signifying the importance of defense and diplomatic collaboration in the bilateral equation.
In a statement released ahead of the visit, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said, “The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review the progress in bilateral relations and the implementation of the outcomes of the India-US Joint Statement issued on February 13. The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.”
After his engagements in New Delhi, Vice President Vance will travel to Jaipur, Rajasthan, on April 21 for the cultural and economic leg of his visit, where he is scheduled to stay until April 24. On April 22, he will tour the historic Amer Palace, one of Rajasthan’s most iconic landmarks. A traditional Rajasthani welcome has been planned for the Vice President and his family, including folk performances, puppet shows, and authentic regional cuisine. The guests are also expected to don traditional Jodhpuri ‘safas’ during the cultural event. In preparation for this high-profile visit, Amer Palace will remain closed to the public, and twelve specially trained guides have been appointed to maintain protocol and assist the dignitaries.
Later that day, Vice President Vance will deliver the keynote address at the US-India Business Summit, which will be held at the Rajasthan International Centre. The summit is expected to bring together leading Indian and American business leaders, policymakers, and industry experts. Vance’s address will highlight Washington’s vision for a future of robust bilateral trade, technology collaboration, and investment opportunities in emerging sectors.
On April 23, Vice President Vance will make a short trip to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of India’s rich cultural legacy. He is expected to spend approximately three hours at the monument before returning to Jaipur. In the evening, he will visit the Jaipur City Palace, a key cultural site.
Additionally, the Vice President will meet with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Governor Haribhau Bagade on April 22 to discuss regional development and investment opportunities in the state.
The visit is being widely viewed as a key milestone in the ongoing expansion of the India-US partnership. It is expected to provide further momentum to collaborative efforts in the fields of defense, trade, technology, energy, and climate change.
Vice President Vance will return to Washington, D.C. on April 24, concluding what many experts describe as a strategically important visit that reaffirms the growing convergence between India and the United States in shaping regional and global affairs.
