US Vice President JD Vance meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to fast track much-awaited US-India bilateral trade deal
US Vice President JD Vance’s four-day visit to India has started on Monday. The US Vice President along with his Indian-origin wife, Usha Vance and their three children, kickstarted India tour by visiting the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in New Delhi. Later in the day, Vance will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is likely to discuss the India-US trade deal.
His first official visit to India is significant, particularly as it comes at a time when India along with other countries, is grappling with US trade tariff heat and navigating ways to escape severe impact on trade.
“For us, what is important is that his wife, Usha Vance, is of Indian origin and that connection is an important one. We need popular people in the administration backing for a strong India-US relationship, and we believe JD Vance could be one of those who would have an interest in promoting the relationship between India and the US,” former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla told the Indian Express.
His visit is crucial as it comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has imposed a 26% tariff on imports from India. Although the tariff has been put on a 90-day pause, once imposed, it will have severe implications on several key sectors, including automobile, electronics, pharmaceuticals and gems and jewellery.
His meeting with the PM is likely to fast track much-awaited US-India bilateral trade agreement (BTA) announced during Modi’s visit to the US on February 13 this year. The BTA mainly comprises 19 chapters, including tariffs, non-tariff barriers, goods, rules of origin and customs facilitation, the Economic Times reported, citing sources.
“The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review the progress in bilateral relations...The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest,” the ministry of external affairs said in an earlier statement on April 16.