 "US-India trade deal, Trump’s visit… What PM Modi and US VP JD Vance discussed")
After landing at Palam Airport and visiting the Akshardham Temple, it was time to get down to business for United States Vice President JD Vance on Monday evening (April 21). The US VP met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, and discussed the crucial bilateral trade deal and the overall partnership that New Delhi and Washington share.
Following the talks, Modi hosted Vance and his family — wife, Usha, and their three children — over dinner that was also joined by several Union Cabinet ministers and American officials. During this part of the evening, Modi also gifted Vance’s children Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel with peacock feathers.
Notably, this is Vance’s first visit to India and the first by an American vice president since 2013. It also comes at a highly significant time — amid President Donald Trump’s trade wars that have been born out of his reciprocal tariffs.
Modi-Vance and the all-important trade deal
On arriving at the PM Modi’s residence, US VP JD Vance discussed the US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement as agreed during the PM’s talks with Trump in Washington DC in February.
The trade pact is expected to address a variety of issues including tariff and market access. India is looking at firming up the first tranche of the trade deal before Trump’s pause on the customised reciprocal tariffs lapses in July.
The White House said the trade pact (BTA) “presents an opportunity” to negotiate a new and modern agreement focused on promoting job creation and citizen well-being in both countries, with the goal of enhancing bilateral trade and supply-chain integration in a balanced and mutually beneficial manner.
“Guided by their respective visions of ‘Amrit Kaal for India’ and ‘Golden Age for America, ’ the BTA is expected to create new opportunities of growth for workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs in both countries,” it said.
At the end of their talks, both leaders said they had made “significant progress” in the negotiations for the trade deal and formally announced the “finalisation of the terms of reference” for the negotiations, laying down a roadmap for further discussions about our economic priorities.
The Indian readout also echoed the same view. It read that Modi and Vance had “reviewed and positively assessed” the progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation.
“They welcomed the significant progress in the negotiations for a mutually beneficial India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement focused on the welfare of the people of the two countries,” it said.
India seeks US investment
Apart from the trade deal, Vance and Modi also discussed US investment in India, especially in the fields of manufacturing, automobiles, and energy sectors.
This comes amidst the backdrop of Trump’s ‘First Buddy’ Elon Musk holding talks with PM Modi last week during which he indicated a possibility of entering the Indian market — either in the form of Tesla in the EV category, or Starlink .
Besides this, there are also reports that US firms are now looking at investing in India in order to increase their production of products such as laptops, mobiles and tablets. This comes as they seek to reduce their dependence on China, as the two economic giants battle it out.
India-US’ overall partnership
During their talks, Modi and Vance also reviewed the overall relationship between India and the US. Following their discussions, PM Modi wrote in a social media post that the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership will be a defining partnership of the 21st century for a “better future of our people and the world”.
Pleased to welcome US @VP @JDVance and his family in New Delhi. We reviewed the fast-paced progress following my visit to the US and meeting with President Trump. We are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation, including in trade, technology, defence, energy and… pic.twitter.com/LRNmodIZLB
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2025
In turn, Vance posted on X, “It was an honour to see Prime Minister Modi this evening. He’s a great leader and he was incredibly kind to my family. I look forward to working under President Trump’s leadership to strengthen our friendship and cooperation with the people of India!”
A future Trump visit
Modi and Vance also discussed the possibility of US President Donald Trump’s visit to India later in the year. According to a readout from the Indian side, PM Modi conveyed to Vance his warm greetings for President Donald Trump and said that he looked forward to his visit to India later this year.
Trump is expected to visit India later this year to attend the annual summit of the Quad grouping.
A dinner and gifts for Vance’s family
Following the hours-long talks, PM Modi hosted US Vice President JD Vance, his wife, Usha, and their three children for dinner. The PM also shared lighter moments with the three children, gifting them peacock feathers.
A video from the visit even shows PM Modi playfully engaging with Vance’s sons — Ewan and Vivek — who were seen sitting on his lap and chatting with him.
The Vance children gave the media several heartwarming moments — they wore ethnic clothing. While the boys wore a navy blue bandhgala jacket set and a black kurta-pyjama set with a printed bandhgala jacket, Mirabel looked adorable in a buttery yellow kurti and beige pants.
Following their meeting with PM Modi, the US Second Family have now moved to Jaipur, Rajasthan where they are expected to visit the Amer Fort, a Unesco World Heritage site. The US vice president will then give a public address at the Rajasthan International Centre in the afternoon.
On Wednesday, the Vances will visit the Taj Mahal monument in Agra before returning to Jaipur the same day and flying back to the US on Thursday, April 24.
With inputs from agencies
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