US Vice President JD Vance given ceremonial guard of honour on arrival in India
New Delhi: On his first formal visit to India, US Vice President JD Vance was greeted with a ceremonial Guard of Honor upon his arrival at Palam airport. At Palam airport, JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, and their kids were greeted. The Vice President was greeted by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In anticipation of Vice President Vance’s visit today, hoardings of him were also erected close to Palam airport. From April 21 to 24, Vice President Vance will go to India for a four-day formal visit.
Today, Vice President Vance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to meet in New Delhi. Prime Minister Modi and Vice President Vance will have a ceremonial meeting at his official home, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, at 6:30 p.m. The two countries’ defense, commerce, and economic cooperation may be the main topics of their talks.
The Vance family will go to Agra and Jaipur after formal meetings. On Tuesday, Vice President Vance will visit Jaipur. He will go to Agra on April 23. On Thursday, April 24, at 6:40 am, Vance will leave India, bringing his trip to an end.
According to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the visit is also essential because US Vice President JD Vance’s upcoming visit from April 21 to 24 will cover all pertinent issues between India and the US and is anticipated to further strengthen bilateral ties.
When questioned about the potential for tariff talks at last Thursday’s weekly media conference, Jaiswal said, “We have a comprehensive strategic global partnership; when you have that level of partnership with any country, obviously, you will discuss all relevant issues.”
He said, “Of course our relationship is such that we are doing anything that is part of our human endeavor from part of our bilateral engagement … so all these bilateral issues will be discussed and we are very positive that the visit will give a further boost to our bilateral ties.” Jaiswal further emphasized that India and the US are currently negotiating a possible trade deal.
“We are talking to the US side so that a bilateral trade agreement can be done,” he said.
JD Vance and his family had just returned from a three-day trip to Italy, where he attended Easter weekend religious services and had bilateral discussions.
Vance met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in more extensive bilateral sessions after arriving in Italy on Friday. He met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and other Church leaders on Saturday. Following a meeting with Pope Francis, the vice president wrapped up his tour on Easter Sunday.