By Shubham Thorat
Amid 90-day pause on new tariff-tensions, In a strategic diplomatic engagement U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance concluded a four-day visit to India from April 21 to April 24, 2025. Accompanied by his Indian-origin wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, and their three children, the visit blended official and cultural tours of Vance family, with this visit J.D. Vance became the first U.S. Vice President to visit India in over a decade, following Joseph Biden’s visit as Vice President in 2013.
Vice President J.D. Vance arrived in New Delhi on April 21, 2025, and began his visit with the iconic Akshardham temple at New Delhi. That evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a meeting with the Vance family before his scheduled departure for Saudi Arabia.
The following day, the Vance family traveled to Agra, visiting the world-famous Taj Mahal, where they were welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. On April 23, 2025, they visited Jaipur’s historic Amber Palace and were warmly received by Rajasthan’s chief minister and deputy chief minister.
Later that day, Vice President J.D. Vance delivered a keynote speech at the Rajasthan International centre in Jaipur, addressing a gathering of policymakers, business leaders, and strategic thinkers. Where he announced the finalization of the terms of reference for a new U.S.-India bilateral trade agreement and pitched fifth-generation aircraft F-35 induction into the Air Force, which can significantly boost the Indian Air Force capabilities.
“American fifth-generation F-35s, for example, would give the Indian Air Force the ability to defend your air space and protect your people like never before.”
The bilateral trade agreement can elevate India-U.S. strategic relations to a new level. India can be the first country to secure a trade agreement with the U.S. amid global tariff-tension.
The visit took a gloomy turn when news broke of a terrorist attack in Kashmir, where 26 tourists were killed by seven terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba and its proxy group The Resistance Front, Vice President J.D. Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance expressed deep condolences and strongly condemned the brutal attack.
Although the visit was primarily a mix of official and private family cultural tour, its timing carried strategic significance for India-U.S. relations. The visit came amid the U.S. administration’s “90-Day Pause” before the full implementation of new tariffs rates, giving India an opportunity to negotiate and strengthen trade ties with Washington. The finalization terms of reference of the India-U.S. bilateral trade offers India a significant opportunity to expand economic and defence cooperation and reduce its trade deficit with Washington amidst a growing U.S.-China trade tensions.