‘Modi’s Approval Ratings Make Me Jealous’: Vance Says Past US Govts Approached Him With ‘Attitude Of Preaching’

On the second day of his visit to India, United States Vice President JD Vance expressed deep admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the growing India-US partnership. Speaking at an event in Rajasthan’s Jaipur, Vance lauded Modi’s hospitality, shared personal anecdotes involving his family, and emphasised the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship across sectors such as energy, defence, artificial intelligence (AI), and trade.

Vance reflected on earlier diplomatic approaches, saying, “Now we're not here to preach that you do things any one particular way. Too often in the past, Washington approached Prime Minister Modi with an attitude of preachiness and even one of condescension. Prior administrations saw India as a source of low cost labour.” 

“On the one hand, even as they criticised the Prime Minister's government, arguably the most popular in the democratic world, and as I told Prime Minister Modi last night, he's got approval ratings that would make me jealous,” he added, as quoted by news agency ANI.

‘My Son Wanted To Live In India’: Vance Reveals Why He Likes PM Modi, Thinks He’s ‘Special’

Sharing a light-hearted moment from his visit, Vance said, “My son Yuvan is seven years old. Yesterday after we had dinner at the Prime Minister’s house, the food was so good and the Prime Minister was so kind to our three children that Yuvan came up to me and said, ‘Dad, maybe I can live in India.’ But I think about 90 minutes in the Jaipur sun today at the great palace, he suggested, ‘Maybe we should move to England.’ So maybe you should take the good with the bad here.”

Calling Prime Minister Modi a “special person”, the US Vice President recalled their earlier meeting at the AI Action Summit in February. “We had a lot of important discussion on AI and other policy to prepare for. The Prime Minister also managed to figure out that my son Vivek was turning five years old… Amid a huge international policy conference, he took the time to stop by to wish our second son, Vivek a happy birthday and also bring him a gift. Usha and I were genuinely touched by his graciousness,” he said.

Vance went on to highlight the fondness his children have developed for the Indian leader. “Our seven-year-old, five-year-old, and three-year-old baby girl Mirabel – it’s interesting—they have only really attached themselves to two world leaders. The first, of course, is President Trump… but Prime Minister Modi is the exact same thing. Our kids just like him. And I think that, because kids are such good, strong judges of character, I just like Prime Minister Modi, too,” he said.

'India, US Finalised Terms Of Trade Negotiations': Vance As He Responds To Criticism Of Trump Tariffs

During his remarks, Vance also announced that the United States and India had officially finalised the terms of reference for a new trade negotiation. “I believe this is a vital step toward realising US President Trump’s and Prime Minister Modi’s vision, because it sets a road map toward a final deal between our nations,” he said, as quoted by ANI.

He defended the trade policies of former President Donald Trump, stating, “Critics have attacked my president, President Trump, for starting a trade war in an effort to bring back the jobs of the past, but nothing could be further from the truth. He seeks to rebalance global trade so that America, with friends like India, can build a future worth having for all of our people together.”

Underscoring energy collaboration, Vance said, “We believe that American energy can help realise India’s nuclear power production goals, and this is very important, as well as its AI ambitions, because, as the United States knows well, and I know that India knows well, there is no AI future without energy security and energy dominance.”

He also noted the alignment of interests in the Indo-Pacific region. “It’s fitting that India this year is hosting the QUAD leaders’ summit this fall. Our interests in a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific are in full alignment,” Vance said.

Highlighting cooperation in defence and technology, Vance stated, “America does more military exercises with India than we do with any other nation on Earth. Second, to build great things, and finally, to innovate the cutting-edge technologies both our countries will need in the years to come.”

Speaking warmly of India’s cultural and historical depth, he added, “I’ve been amazed by the ancient beauty of the architecture of India, by the richness of India’s history and traditions, but also by India’s laser-like focus on the future… I think this appreciation for history and tradition and this focus on the future is very much something that animates this country in 2025.”

Vice President JD Vance is on a four-day visit to India. He arrived in Delhi on Monday and later met Prime Minister Modi along with his wife Usha Vance and their children. The family also visited the Akshardham Temple, Cottage Emporium, and Amber Fort in Jaipur.

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