Vance set to visit India for bilateral talks on economic, trade and geopolitical ties

U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Visit India for Bilateral Trade Talks

NEW DELHI — U.S. Vice President JD Vance is set to embark on a four-day visit to India on Monday to discuss economic opportunities and negotiate a bilateral trade deal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The visit comes at a crucial time as both countries aim to enhance economic and diplomatic ties amid a rapidly intensifying trade war between the U.S. and China, India’s main regional rival.

A potential trade deal between India and the U.S. could significantly boost economic cooperation and strengthen diplomatic relations between the two nations. The U.S. is currently India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at $190 billion until recently.

During the visit, Vance and Modi will review the progress in bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest. The visit holds strategic importance as India remains a key partner for the U.S. in trade, foreign direct investments, defense cooperation, and countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Key points to note about Vance’s visit:

• Vance’s visit follows Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s recent visit to India for a geopolitical conference.
• Modi’s meeting with Trump in Washington laid the groundwork for potential trade agreements between the two countries.
• India is open to reducing tariffs on U.S. goods and exploring collaborations with American companies like Apple Inc. and Google.
• The U.S. and India have set a target to double their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 under the expected trade deal.

The negotiations between the U.S. and India are crucial for New Delhi to mitigate the impact of potential reciprocal tariffs from the U.S. on various sectors of the Indian economy. Modi’s government is keen on enhancing trade relations to boost the country’s economy and create job opportunities through exports.

Vance’s visit to India holds personal significance as well, as his wife Usha Vance, a practicing Hindu and daughter of South Indian immigrants, will accompany him on the trip. The couple will visit cultural sites in Indian cities like Jaipur and Agra as part of their engagements during the visit.