U.S. Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by his Indian-American wife, Usha Vance, and their three children, will embark on a four-day visit to India beginning April 21.
The trip, Vance’s first to the country as vice president, is poised to underscore Washington’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and expediting the finalization of a long-discussed India-U.S. trade agreement.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officially announced the visit on Wednesday, with Vance’s office confirming the trip in a separate statement.
“This will be Vice President Vance’s first visit to India. During the visit, he will be meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 21,” the MEA stated, adding that the vice president and his delegation will also visit Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra before returning to Washington, D.C., on April 24.
Trade deal on the table as tariffs loom large
The visit comes against a backdrop of mounting global anxiety over President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff strategy, which has disrupted markets and fueled fears of a broader economic downturn. While Trump recently paused tariffs for most countries, excluding China, the policy continues to reverberate across global supply chains.
With this context, Vance is expected to prioritize discussions with Indian leaders around advancing a bilateral trade pact that would address tariff concerns, expand market access, and stabilize supply chains.
“The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review the progress in bilateral relations and the implementation of the outcomes of the India-U.S. Joint Statement issued on February 13 during the Prime Minister’s visit to the U.S.,” the MEA said.
Vance’s office echoed the focus on diplomacy and development, saying he would discuss “shared economic and geopolitical priorities with leaders in each country” during his visits to Italy and India from April 18 to 24.
A diplomatic tour with cultural overtones
Joining Vice President Vance will be his wife, Usha Vance, the first Hindu-American Second Lady, along with their children—Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel. The family is expected to participate in several cultural engagements during the trip.
Shortly after landing, the Second Family is slated to visit the Red Fort in Delhi before Vance meets with key Indian leaders, including National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and BJP President JP Nadda.
Later in the evening, Prime Minister Modi is expected to host the Vance family for a formal dinner following their bilateral meeting. Sources indicate the atmosphere will blend diplomatic dialogue with cultural warmth, as Modi interacts with the family personally.
On April 22, the Vances will head to Jaipur to tour historic landmarks and engage with local officials. The next day, the itinerary includes a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra.
A growing series of high-level U.S. visits to India
Vance’s visit marks the latest in a string of high-level U.S. official visits to India in recent months. U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard visited earlier this year to meet with Prime Minister Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and NSA Doval. Although U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz was expected in New Delhi next week, his trip has reportedly been postponed.
Before arriving in India, Vance will stop in Rome for meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. He is also expected to participate in events tied to the Easter holiday.
With the U.S. and India increasingly aligned on economic and strategic fronts, Vice President Vance’s visit may prove pivotal in shaping the trajectory of one of the world’s most consequential bilateral relationships, particularly as both nations navigate an increasingly complex global trade environment.
