NEW DELHI, Apr 21 (AP): US Vice President (VP) JD Vance landed in India on Monday on a four-day trip, during which he will attend personal engagements and hold discussions focused on trade, as India aims to avoid US tariffs, pursue a bilateral trade deal with Washington, and deepen its relationship with the Trump administration.
On the first day of his primarily personal visit, Vance is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their talks are expected to cover bilateral relations, following up on the agenda set during Modi's February meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington.
India and the United States, which is New Delhi's top trading partner, are currently engaged in talks aimed at finalizing a bilateral trade agreement within the year. Both countries have set an ambitious goal to more than double their trade to $500 billion by 2030-a move that could significantly enhance economic cooperation and strengthen diplomatic relations.
Vance's inaugural trip to New Delhi comes at a time when Trump's tariff measures against several countries, including India, are on pause.
It also takes place against the backdrop of an escalating trade conflict between Washington and Beijing, India's key regional competitor.
"We are very positive that the visit will give a further boost to our bilateral ties," Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week.
Upon arriving at New Delhi's Palam airport on Monday-after a visit to Rome where he met Pope Francis on Easter Sunday-Vance was welcomed with a traditional Indian classical dance performance.
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