U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance began a four-day visit to India, where he will be holding talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in order to avoid steep U.S. tariffs and bolster ties with the Trump administration. The visit is largely personal, as Vance is accompanied by his family and plans to visit the Taj Mahal and attend a wedding in Jaipur. Modi and Vance are expected to discuss progress on the bilateral agenda outlined during Modi’s meeting with President Trump in February, which includes trade fairness and a stronger defense partnership.
India is open to cutting tariffs on over half of its imports from the U.S. as part of a trade deal, despite Trump referring to India as a “tariff abuser.” The U.S. is India’s largest trading partner, with two-way bilateral trade reaching $129 billion in 2024. Officials in New Delhi are hoping to finalize a trade deal within the 90-day pause on tariff hikes announced by Trump.
Vance’s visit is strategically timed amid US-China tensions and his high profile role in American diplomacy. While no deals are expected to be signed during his visit, discussions on defense procurement and partnership will be key topics. India plans to procure and co-produce arms with the U.S., including Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker infantry combat vehicles. These discussions will be furthered during U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s upcoming visit to India. Overall, Vance’s visit is seen as setting the stage for Trump’s visit to India later in the year for the Quad grouping summit.
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