New Delhi:
US Vice President JD Vance kicked off his first official visit to India on Saturday, landing in New Delhi alongside his wife, Usha Vance, who has Indian heritage. The four-day visit aims to deepen the strategic and economic partnership between the two nations.

Mr. Vance’s aircraft landed at the Palam Technical Area, where he received a warm welcome from Indian dignitaries. Later today, he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage in key discussions that are likely to revolve around finalizing a bilateral trade agreement and enhancing cooperation in defense, technology, and energy. Joining the discussions will be National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.

The Vice President is accompanied by a high-level American delegation, including senior representatives from the Pentagon and the State Department, underscoring the importance Washington places on this diplomatic engagement.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit serves as an opportunity to assess progress made since the February 13 India-US Joint Statement and to discuss evolving regional and global challenges that concern both countries.

After concluding his official meetings in the capital, Mr. Vance and his family will travel to Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. His itinerary includes a cultural tour of Amer Fort on Tuesday, followed by a keynote address at the US-India Business Summit hosted at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur. The summit will gather top government officials and business leaders to explore avenues for expanding trade and mutual investment.

On Wednesday, the US Vice President will travel to Agra to visit the iconic Taj Mahal, returning to Jaipur later that day for a tour of the City Palace.

Mr. Vance is also scheduled to meet Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Governor Haribhau Bagade on April 22 before wrapping up his trip. He is set to return to Washington on Thursday.