JD Vance India Visit LIVE Updates: PM Modi, US Vice President Vance discuss trade, strategic ties and global issues

PM Modi welcomed US Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Chilukuri, their children Vivek, Ewan and Mirabel at the 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.

Vance’s visit to India comes at a critical juncture, with Washington threatening to raise tariffs on Indian exports from 10% to 26% unless a deal is struck within the 90-day window announced by President Donald Trump earlier this month. A breakthrough on trade could not only boost economic ties but also deepen the broader strategic relationship between the two countries

PM Modi welcomes US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance and their children to his official residence at Lok Kalyan Marg in Delhi.

Vance has reached the 7 Lok Kalyan Marg to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Discussions around the trade deal being negotiated by the two countries are expected to take primacy in their talks.

The Narendra Modi government has upgraded the protocol for Vance’s visit.

Unlike the last time a US vice president visited India, a Cabinet minister received Vance at the airport.

Union Cabinet minister Ashwini Vaishnaw received Vance at the airport upon his arrival in Delhi this morning.

However, when Joe Biden visited India in 2013 as the Vice President of the United States, he was received by the then-Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai.

US Vice President JD Vance was received at the Delhi airport by Union Cabinet minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on April 21, 2025. (Photo: X/Ministry of External Affairs)

Following their visit to the Akshardham temple in Delhi, Vance visited the Janpath market in Delhi.

They visited the Central Cottage Industries Emporium in Janpath.

Following Vance and his family’s visit to the Delhi’s Akshardham temple, the management said that the vice president’s three children enjoyed a lot.

“A souvenir was given to them so that their unforgettable memories remain forever. When he was having a darshan at Akshardham Temple, he really liked the artwork, the messages given here and the cultural carvings here. His children also enjoyed a lot. They experienced the culture and tradition of our country,” said temple spokesperson Radhika Shukla, according to The Times of India.

Major route diversions are set to be in place from around 6 pm to 9 pm when Vance would leave for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In an advisory, the Delhi Traffic Police said that no vehicle will be allowed to halt or park on:

• Sardar Patel Marg
• Kamal Ataturk Road and surrounding areas
• Gurugram Road, Parade Road
• Thimmaiya Marg
• Air Force Road and other surrounding areas

Instead, the police said that commuters going towards 11 Murti to RML may use Vande Matram Marg from Dhaula Kuan Flyover to R/A Shankar Road, Talkatora Road and Sheikh Mujib-Ur-Rehman Marg and commuters going towards Dhaula Kuan Flyover from IGIA or vice versa may use Rao Tula Ram Marg.

Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory for April 21, 2025, regarding the visit of US Vice President JD Vance. (Credit: X/Delhi Traffic Police)

Vance and his family, comprising wife Usha and three children, visited Delhi’s Swaminarayan Akshardham temple after their arrival in Delhi.

Visuals shared by PTI shows the Second Family of the United States at the temple.

Despite being in India for four days, Vance has arrive with a rather lighter delegations.

Vance’s delegation comprises just five officials from the Departments of Defense and State, according to The Indian Express.

The officials or their designations were not mentioned in the report.

Even though Vance’s visit includes personal engagements outside of Delhi, trade talks at the highest levels are at the top of his visit’s agenda.

In his meeting with PM Modi later in the evening, the trade deal being negotiated by the two countries is expected to be the top priority.

President Trump has slapped India with 26 per cent tariffs and placed India among countries with highest tariffs, such as Japan and South Korea. To avoid the worst of the tariff war, the two countries are engaged in talks to reach a bilateral trade agreement.

READ MORE: Trade talks with Modi, visit to Taj Mahal and more… What’s on JD Vance’s agenda during 4-day India visit?

While the White House reportedly expects the deal to be reached within two to three weeks, the Indian government has said that the deal is expected to be reached by fall.

Ahead of Vance’s visit, the White House said that the visit would be focussed on “shared economic and geopolitical priorities” and India said that it would “provide an opportunity for both sides to review the progress in bilateral relations”.

After his arrival in Delhi, Vance and his family reached the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple.

Visuals shared by ANI show Vance’s cavalcade reaching the temple.

Upon his arrival in Delhi, Vance received a ceremonial guard of honour.

This is Vance’s first official visit to India.

Vance has arrived in India with his wife, Usha, and three children Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel.