U.S. Vice President JD Vance Begins Four-Day India Visit to Boost Trade, Strategic Ties

U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in India on Monday for a four-day visit aimed at deepening economic and strategic relations between the two countries amid evolving global trade dynamics.

Vance, joined by his wife Usha Vance—whose parents are of Indian origin—and their children, was welcomed with a traditional Indian classical dance performance at New Delhi’s Palam airport. His visit follows a stop in Rome, where he met Pope Francis on Easter Sunday.

The vice president is expected to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to advance discussions on a bilateral trade deal and reaffirm commitments made during Modi’s February meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington.

India, already the United States’ largest trading partner, is negotiating a trade agreement with Washington that could double trade volumes to $500 billion by 2030. The visit comes as India positions itself as a manufacturing alternative to China, especially in states like Tamil Nadu, known for its business-friendly environment and large female manufacturing workforce.

“This visit will give a further boost to our bilateral ties,” said Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal ahead of Vance’s arrival.

Vance’s trip also comes against the backdrop of paused U.S. tariffs on several countries, including India, and a growing U.S.-China trade war. India, a key member of the Quad alliance alongside the U.S., Japan, and Australia, is seen as a central strategic partner in counterbalancing China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.

In addition to official meetings, the Vance family will tour historic sites in Jaipur and Agra before concluding their trip. President Trump is expected to attend a Quad summit hosted in India later this year.