In the first high-level engagement between India and the US under President Donald Trump’s administration, Vice-President JD Vance met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepen strategic ties and expedite a long-pending bilateral trade agreement.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the leaders welcomed “significant progress in the negotiations for a mutually beneficial India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement” and discussed enhancing cooperation in areas such as energy, defence, and strategic technologies.
The two also exchanged views on key regional and global developments, and “called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward,” the statement added.
Recalling his January visit to Washington DC, PM Modi said his discussions with President Trump had laid out “a roadmap for close cooperation,” aligning the US’s “Make America Great Again” initiative with India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision.
The Prime Minister also conveyed warm wishes to Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, and their children for a “pleasant and productive stay in India,” and extended greetings to President Trump, expressing hope to welcome him to India later this year.
Vance and PM Modi held both one-on-one and delegation-level meetings at the Prime Minister’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, before the Prime Minister hosted the Second Family of the US for dinner. Senior Indian officials including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra were present during the discussions.
This is Vance’s first visit to India since taking office, and only the fourth by a sitting US Vice-President in recent decades. Joe Biden visited in 2013, George HW Bush in 1984, and Hubert Humphrey in 1966.
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The visit comes against the backdrop of a sweeping tariff regime announced by the Trump administration—currently paused for 90 days—which affects several countries including India. Both sides are working to conclude a comprehensive trade pact that addresses tariffs, market access, and other barriers.
Washington is also keen to strengthen defence cooperation, including encouraging New Delhi to procure more American military equipment.
Sources said the primary focus of Monday’s talks was on fast-tracking the trade deal and boosting the overall trajectory of bilateral relations.
Vance, who has emerged as a key voice in the Trump administration, is accompanied by senior officials from the Pentagon and State Department, as well as US National Security Council senior director Ricky Gill, who will participate in a Track-II dialogue at the India-US Forum hosted by Ananta Aspen Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs.
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Vance is travelling with his Indian-origin wife Usha and their three children—Ewan, 7, Vivek, 5, and three-year-old Mirabel. The family received a ceremonial welcome at Delhi’s Palam airbase and visited the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple shortly after arrival. The children were dressed in traditional Indian attire as they exited the aircraft.
Vance’s official itinerary (April 21–24) includes stops in Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the visit is expected to “further deepen the India–US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.”
The family will travel to Jaipur Monday night and stay at the historic Rambagh Palace. On Tuesday, they are expected to visit landmarks including Amer Fort and later attend an event at the Rajasthan International Centre.
On Wednesday, the US Second Family’s itinerary includes a trip to Agra’s Taj Mahal and Shilpgram before returning to Jaipur in the evening. The family will depart for the US from Jaipur on Thursday.