US Vice-President JD Vance arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a four-day visit, accompanied by his wife Usha Vance and their children. The visit marks a significant diplomatic engagement amid growing trade tensions triggered by Washington’s tariff policies under President Donald Trump. Vance is scheduled to hold crucial talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day, focusing primarily on accelerating a long-pending bilateral trade agreement between the US and India. Prior to the official discussions, the Vance family visited the Akshardham temple, highlighting the personal and cultural dimension of the visit — especially as Usha Vance’s roots trace back to Andhra Pradesh.
The backdrop to these talks is the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs announced by President Trump, set to end on 9 July. Trump, who has previously criticized India’s trade policies, had imposed a steep 27% tariff on Indian goods before temporarily suspending it. In response, India has lowered some tariffs on US imports, though the trade imbalance still heavily favors Delhi with a $45 billion surplus. India’s average tariff rate stands at around 12%, significantly higher than the US average of 2%. With bilateral trade reaching $190 billion, both nations see the upcoming negotiations as an opportunity to move closer to their ambitious $500 billion trade target set during earlier Modi-Trump talks.
Apart from trade, Vance and Modi are also expected to discuss broader geopolitical concerns and regional developments of mutual interest. The visit is being closely watched as it precedes President Trump’s expected participation in the upcoming Quad summit later this year, which will bring together leaders from the US, India, Australia, and Japan. Indian officials have expressed optimism about the outcome of Vance’s visit, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating that Delhi is “very positive that the visit will give a further boost to our bilateral ties.” Vance’s tour, which includes sightseeing in Agra and Jaipur, is being seen as a mix of diplomacy and personal reconnection with India.
