Vance arrives in India to strengthen bilateral ties, discuss trade deal

NEW DELHI: US Vice President JD Vance arrived in India on Monday for a four-day visit as New Delhi seeks to avoid US tariffs, negotiate a bilateral trade deal with Washington, and strengthen ties with the Trump administration.

Vance is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the first day of his largely personal visit. The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations outlined in February when Modi met President Donald Trump in Washington.

The US is India’s largest trading partner, and the two nations are currently negotiating a bilateral trade agreement, aiming to finalise it this year. They have set an ambitious target to more than double their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. If achieved, this trade deal could significantly enhance economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Vance’s visit to New Delhi comes against the backdrop of Trump’s now-paused tariff programme targeting most countries, including India. It also coincides with a rapidly escalating trade war between Washington and Beijing, New Delhi’s main rival in the region.

Modi and Vance are expected to “review the progress in bilateral relations” and “exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest,” according to India’s Foreign Ministry last week. “We are very positive that the visit will give a further boost to our bilateral ties,” spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

Upon his arrival at New Delhi’s Palam airport on Monday, Vance was greeted with an Indian classical dance performance. He arrived following a visit to Rome, where he met Pope Francis on Easter Sunday. He is accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, a practising Hindu of Indian descent, along with their children and officials from the US administration.

The couple and their three young children visited the Akshardham Hindu temple in New Delhi after their arrival and are expected to tour the iconic Taj Mahal and the 12th-century Amer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, during their trip.

India is a close partner of the US and an important strategic ally in countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. It is also part of the Quad, which includes the US, India, Japan, and Australia, and is seen as a counterbalance to China’s expansion in the region. Trump is expected to attend a summit of Quad leaders in India later this year.

Modi established a strong working relationship with Trump during his first term in office, and the two leaders are likely to further enhance cooperation between their countries. Modi was among the first leaders to visit the US and hold talks with Trump after his return to the White House. During his visit, Modi hailed a “mega partnership” with the US and initiated negotiations to minimise the potential impact of Trump’s tariffs.

The two leaders also announced plans to expand their defence partnership, with India signalling compliance with Trump’s demands by agreeing to purchase more oil, energy, and defence equipment from the US. Despite this, Trump imposed a 26% levy on India, part of which has since been paused. However, he has continued to refer to India as a “tariff abuser” and “tariff king.”

The trade negotiations are particularly urgent for New Delhi, as Trump’s reciprocal tariffs could severely impact sectors such as agriculture, processed food, auto components, high-end machinery, medical equipment, and jewellery.

By RSS/AP