The U.S. Vice President and Indian leader are advancing negotiations to finalize a bilateral trade agreement
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance held a closed-door meeting on Monday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the start of his official four-day visit to India. The visit comes amid growing uncertainty stemming from the ongoing trade war between the United States and China.
Vance was received by the Indian Prime Minister at his official residence on Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi. The U.S. delegation was joined by Second Lady Usha Vance and their children, who contributed to a special cultural atmosphere by wearing traditional Indian attire. The presence of the Vance family—particularly the Second Lady, of Indian descent—added a symbolic dimension to the meeting.
The encounter between the two leaders comes at a crucial moment, as India and the United States are progressing in negotiations to finalize a bilateral trade agreement that could bring significant benefits to both countries. Delegation-level talks are expected to delve into technical details in the coming days, addressing specific trade aspects and resolving remaining obstacles to reach a comprehensive agreement.
This marks the first visit by a U.S. vice president to India in twelve years, following Joe Biden’s trip during his tenure under President Barack Obama. Vance, who previously met Modi in February this year during the AI Action Summit in Paris, will continue his tour of India by traveling tonight to the city of Jaipur in the state of Rajasthan. Later, the Vice President and his family will head to Agra, home to the iconic Taj Mahal.
The Indian government continues to seek increased foreign investment in key sectors such as technology, manufacturing, automotive, and energy. In this context, India has implemented policies to ease foreign direct investment and views the United States as a strategic partner in its economic development. As part of this momentum, tech magnate Elon Musk recently announced plans to visit India later this year, hinting at Tesla and Starlink’s entry into the Indian market following a phone call with Modi.
Vance’s visit underscores the strengthening ties between India and the United States, especially amid global challenges posed by competition with China. In the view of both countries, the bilateral cooperation is becoming increasingly vital to counter Beijing’s influence in various regions.
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