Online Desk
Vance's India visit occurs amidst ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between the two strategic partners, aiming to address issues such as import duties and smooth market access.
The US VP is visiting India at a time when the President Trump's announcement of a disruptive import tariff on several countries, including India, that affects the world trade order, though the implementation has been paused for three months from mid April.
The US Vice President and the Second Lady were received at the Palam air base by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to host a dinner in honour of the Vances following comprehensive discussions with the Vice President of the United States.
The Indian delegation at the talks, led by Prime Minister Modi, is expected to include External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra.
India is a key US partner in trade, investment, defense, and a strategic ally in countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. As a member of the Quad—alongside the US, Japan, and Australia—India plays a central role in regional security. Major US companies like Apple and Google have recently expanded in India, and last month, Musk’s Starlink partnered with two leading Indian telecom firms to offer satellite internet services.
New Delhi and Washington are now holding negotiations to seal a bilateral trade agreement that is expected to address a variety of issues, including tariff and market access.