US vice president JD Vance visits Taj Mahal, calls it a 'beautiful historic site'

US Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife Usha Vance and their three children—Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel—visited the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday.

Calling it a “beautiful historic site,” Vance expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome they received. He shared moments from the visit on social media, saying he was grateful for the hospitality extended to his family during their time at the monument.

Today I visited the Taj Mahal with Usha and the kids.

It's a beautiful historic site, and I'm grateful for the warm welcome we received there! pic.twitter.com/3FNnlNAKd2

— Vice President JD Vance (@VP) April 23, 2025

Upon their arrival at the Agra airport, the Vance family was received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The city was decked out in vibrant decorations to mark the high-profile visit, with rangolis, sand art, floral designs, and flags of both nations lining the route to the Taj Mahal. Large welcome hoardings and banners captured the celebratory spirit and highlighted the deepening friendship between India and the United States.

Security arrangements were extensive, with the 12-kilometre route from the airport to the monument via Shilpgram placed under tight surveillance. US security teams had reached Agra three days ahead of the visit to coordinate efforts with local authorities, and the entire stretch was declared a zero-traffic zone to ensure smooth movement.

The visit to the 17th-century monument was part of a broader itinerary blending official and cultural engagements across India. The Vance family also toured Delhi’s Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, Jaipur’s Amber Fort, and the Central Cottage Industries Emporium, reflecting a personal appreciation of India’s heritage.

Earlier in the week, Vice President Vance met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence in Delhi. Both leaders welcomed the progress in the ongoing negotiations for a US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement and formally announced the finalisation of the Terms of Reference for the talks.

During a speech in Jaipur, Vance defended President Donald Trump’s approach to global trade, emphasizing the administration’s focus on rebalancing trade and building a more equitable future. He noted that when Trump and Modi announced their goal of more than doubling bilateral trade, “both of them meant it.” Highlighting recent progress, he confirmed that the two governments had finalized the framework for a future trade deal and that discussions with Prime Minister Modi had been positive.

Vance outlined the core pillars of the proposed agreement, which include job creation, supply chain resilience, and economic prosperity for both countries. He reiterated that both governments are working hard on a deal built around shared priorities.

On the strategic front, Vance praised India’s upcoming role as host of the QUAD summit later this year, calling it a fitting reflection of the two countries’ aligned interests in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. He also highlighted the unmatched frequency of joint military exercises between India and the US as a testament to the strength of their defence partnership.

The Vice President’s visit underscored not only diplomatic cooperation but also a deep cultural appreciation, further cementing the growing partnership between India and the United States.