PM Modi, J.D. Vance review progress of India-US trade deal talks

US Vice President J.D. Vance, who is on a four-day visit to India, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Monday evening and the two leaders reviewed the progress of the ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement.

 

Modi welcomed Vance, his Indian-origin wife Usha Vance and their three children at his official residence in the national capital.

 

The two leaders discussed ways to further expand India-US global strategic ties as well as New Delhi's concerns over Washington's trade policy. Both India and the US are working on a bilateral trade deal that is expected to address a variety of issues including tariff and market access.

 

“They welcomed the significant progress in the negotiations for a mutually beneficial India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement focused on the welfare of the people of the two countries. Likewise, they noted continued efforts towards enhancing cooperation in energy, defence, strategic technologies and other areas,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

 

Both Modi and Vance also exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward.

 

The prime minister later hosted a dinner for the Vance family and the US delegation accompanying the vice president.

 

Earlier, dressed in traditional Indian clothing, the Vance family visited Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Delhi. The boys -Ewan and Vivek- wore kurta-pyjamas, while the girl Mirabel wore an Anarkali-style outfit paired with an embroidered jacket.

 

"Thank you all so much for your hospitality and kindness in welcoming me and my family to this beautiful place. It is a great credit to India that you built a beautiful temple with precision and care. Our kids, in particular, loved it. God bless," Vance wrote on X.

 

They also visited Central Cottage Industries Emporium at Janpath.

 

Vance arrived at Delhi’s Palam Air Force Station on Monday morning. He was welcomed by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav.

 

This is Vance’s first visit to India as the US vice president. The vice president and his delegation are also scheduled to visit Jaipur and Agra before departing for Washington on 24 April 2025.

 

Vance’s visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review the progress in bilateral relations and the implementation of the outcomes of the India-US Joint Statement issued on February 13, 2025 during the visit of the prime minister to the US, the MEA had said.

 

The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest, it further said.

India