US Vice President JD Vance arrives in India for first official visit

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in India on Monday for his first official visit, accompanied by his Indian-origin wife, Usha Vance, and their children. The visit, running from April 21 to 24, also sees senior US Administration members accompanying the Vice President.

Ahead of his arrival, hoardings featuring Vice President Vance were put up near Palam airport.

In light of the high-profile visit, Delhi has been placed under tight security. Police forces have increased patrols, and multiple checkpoints have been established in key areas, including near the Vice President’s scheduled meetings and official events. The security measures are being closely coordinated to ensure the safety of all involved during the visit.

Vice President Vance’s schedule includes a formal meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today at 6:30 pm at the Prime Minister’s official residence, 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. The two leaders are expected to discuss strengthening economic, trade, and defense cooperation between the United States and India. Following these official meetings, the Vance family will visit Jaipur on April 22 and Agra on April 23.

In Agra, the world-renowned Taj Mahal is being prepared to host Vice President Vance and his wife, who will explore the historic site. The monument has previously welcomed many world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in 2020.

Meanwhile, the village of Vadluru in Andhra Pradesh, the ancestral home of Usha Vance (née Chilukuri), is buzzing with excitement. The villagers are hopeful that the Vice President and his wife will visit the village during their stay in India. The community takes immense pride in Usha Vance’s achievements, and the visit has sparked a wave of anticipation.

Vance’s visit to India will conclude on Thursday, April 24, with his departure scheduled for 6:40 am. The visit comes at a significant time for Indo-US relations, with discussions surrounding key bilateral issues. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that all relevant matters between India and the US would be discussed, including a potential trade agreement. He expressed optimism that this visit would further strengthen the ties between the two nations.

Before arriving in India, Vice President Vance and his family completed a three-day visit to Italy, where he held meetings with Italian officials, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and attended religious services during the Easter weekend. His visit to Italy concluded with a meeting with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday.