US vice president JD Vance arrives in India for four-day visit

U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in India on Monday for a four-day visit that blends official diplomacy with personal engagements. During his trip, Vance is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to advance discussions on a potential early trade deal, as New Delhi looks to avoid hefty U.S. tariffs and strengthen ties with the Trump administration.

The visit comes at a key moment in U.S.-India relations, with trade and defense cooperation expected to top the agenda. The two leaders are expected to assess progress on a bilateral framework laid out during Modi’s February visit to Washington, where he met with President Donald Trump. Central to the dialogue are U.S. concerns over trade fairness and deepening strategic defense ties.

Sources familiar with the itinerary say the first day of Vance’s visit will also include personal activities. He and his family are scheduled to visit the iconic Taj Mahal and attend a wedding in Jaipur. Vance’s wife, Usha, is of Indian descent—her parents immigrated to the U.S.—adding a personal dimension to the trip.

The vice president arrived in New Delhi’s Palam airport after a stop in Rome, where he held a private audience with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday.

India, which imported $41.8 billion worth of goods from the U.S. in 2024, is reportedly open to reducing tariffs on more than half of these imports in a bid to secure a favorable trade agreement.