Vance visits India amid tariff tensions, trade talks
Reuters
Reuters
U.S. Vice President JD Vance began a four-day trip to India on Monday, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss trade issues with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The visit comes as India seeks to finalize a trade agreement with the U.S. to avoid steep tariffs and reinforce relations with the Trump administration.
Vance, accompanied by his family, plans to combine official meetings with personal activities such as visiting the Taj Mahal and attending a wedding in Jaipur. His wife, Usha, is of Indian descent.
Before arriving in New Delhi, Vance visited Rome, where he met privately with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday. In India, he and Modi will review progress on the bilateral agenda set in February during Modi's visit to Washington. This includes fairer trade practices and expanding defense cooperation.
India is considering reducing tariffs on over half of its imports from the U.S., which totaled $41.8 billion in 2024, in hopes of reaching a deal during the 90-day pause on tariff hikes announced by President Trump earlier this month. Despite ongoing talks, Trump has continued to label India as a "tariff abuser".
Indian officials remain optimistic about the visit’s potential impact. The U.S. is India’s largest trading partner, with total trade reaching $129 billion last year, and a $45.7 billion surplus in India’s favor.
Vance's visit is also viewed as preparation for a future trip by President Trump to India for a Quad summit later this year. Analysts say Vance's rising diplomatic role and the current U.S.-China tensions add importance to his visit.
While no formal deals are expected during this trip, the two countries plan to advance discussions on defense cooperation, including joint production of weapons like Javelin missiles and Stryker combat vehicles. These talks are set to continue during U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s upcoming visit to India.
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