US Vice President JD Vance Begins First Official India Visit with Focus on Trade, Defense Ties and Cultural Diplomacy
US Vice President JD Vance has begun his first official visit to India, marking a significant moment in India–US diplomatic ties. Accompanied by his wife Usha Vance and their children—Ewan, Vivek, and Maribel—the four-day visit commenced with a ceremonial welcome at Delhi’s Palam Airport, where the Vance family was greeted with a traditional Indian classical dance performance and a ceremonial Guard of Honour. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw welcomed them on behalf of the Indian government. This high-level visit is being seen as a key diplomatic mission by the Donald Trump administration, especially as the US and China engage in a rapidly intensifying trade war. Strengthening trade and strategic relations with India is now a top priority for Washington.
Soon after landing, JD Vance and his family visited Delhi’s iconic Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple. The visit lasted about 55 minutes and included a tour of the temple’s major landmarks such as the Charanarvind, Bharat Upvan, and Gajendra Peeth. The family also prayed at the sanctum sanctorum before the idol of Lord Swaminarayan, with temple spokesperson Radhika Shukla stating that they prayed for world peace. The Vance family, especially the children, were visibly moved by the intricate architecture and cultural heritage on display. A special souvenir was presented to them by the temple as a keepsake of their visit.
In an engaging blend of diplomacy and culture, JD Vance’s children drew widespread attention on social media for wearing traditional Indian attire—kurta pyjamas for the boys and a mini-Anarkali style suit with an embroidered jacket for Maribel. Usha Vance wore a red dress with a white blazer, drawing praise for her elegance. Comments poured in online, with many users appreciating the cultural respect shown by the family through their attire.
Later in the day, JD Vance and family visited the Central Cottage Industries Emporium at Janpath in New Delhi. According to showroom manager Meetu Wazirani, the family spent around 45 minutes at the emporium and purchased a variety of handloom and handicraft products including tea, honey, papier-mâché items, wooden crafts, and pottery. The Vance family’s appreciation for Indian craftsmanship was evident as they humbly interacted with the staff and engaged with traditional products.
On Monday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed JD Vance and his family at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. This was followed by extensive bilateral talks focusing on the early finalisation of a proposed trade agreement between the two nations. Discussions covered a broad range of strategic topics including trade, tariffs, regional security, and defense collaboration. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra were part of the Indian delegation present during the talks. A formal dinner was hosted by PM Modi for JD Vance and his wife after the meeting, underscoring the warmth of the bilateral relationship.
As part of strengthening defense ties, India and the US are expected to finalize a framework for defense partnership within this year. The potential co-production and procurement of defense equipment such as Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker infantry combat vehicles are also under discussion. These topics are expected to be further explored during the upcoming visit of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to India.
On Monday night, the Vance family departed for Jaipur and checked into the luxurious Rambagh Palace, once the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. On Tuesday morning, they are scheduled to visit the Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and later, Vice President Vance will deliver a keynote address on US–India relations at the Rajasthan International Centre at 3 PM.
The visit holds personal significance as well, as Usha Vance (née Chilukuri) traces her roots to the village of Vadluru in Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district. There is a buzz of excitement in the village as locals hope the Vance family may include a visit to her ancestral home during their stay in India. The pride in Usha Vance’s accomplishments has brought the small village into the national spotlight.
Security has been tightened across Delhi in light of the high-profile visit. Extensive mock drills and advanced security checks were carried out at Akshardham Temple and other key locations. The Delhi Traffic Police issued advisories for smooth vehicular movement, especially in areas such as Sardar Patel Marg, Parade Road, and Air Force Road. Commuters faced congestion on NH-24 due to the security arrangements on Monday morning.
The visit by JD Vance not only signifies the strengthening of trade and defense partnerships between India and the United States but also showcases the growing cultural and people-to-people ties. With both nations aiming to more than double their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, this visit could prove to be a vital step toward that ambitious goal. It also comes against the backdrop of paused tariff programs and rising global economic tensions.
For video news and updates on JD Vance’s India visit, visit our YouTube channel THE OLIGO.
