VP Vance Visits India Amid Heightened Trade Tensions

NEW DELHI, India, April 21, 2025 (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President JD Vance began a four-day official visit to India today, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties amid ongoing trade tensions. Vance’s itinerary includes discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and personal engagements, such as visiting the Taj Mahal and attending a wedding in Jaipur.

Vance, who arrived at New Delhi’s Palam airport after a prior meeting with Pope Francis in Rome, is accompanied by members of the U.S. administration. His visit comes at a crucial time, as both countries seek an early trade deal to mitigate steep U.S. tariffs that threaten to strain relations.

During their discussions, Vance and Modi are expected to review progress from a previous agenda laid out during the Indian Prime Minister’s meeting with President Donald Trump this past February. This agenda includes a focus on “fairness” in bilateral trade and deepening defense cooperation.

India has been labeled by Trump as a “tariff abuser,” complicating the negotiations. However, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed optimism about Vance’s visit, stating, “We are very positive that the visit will give a further boost to our bilateral ties.”

The trade relationship between the U.S. and India is significant, with bilateral trade reaching $129 billion in 2024. India enjoys a surplus of $45.7 billion in this partnership, with more than half of India’s imports from the U.S. valued at $41.8 billion last year.

Officials in New Delhi are hopeful for a trade agreement to be finalized soon, particularly following recent tariff increases announced by the Trump administration. Vance’s trip is also seen as precursor to Trump’s planned visit to India later this year for a summit with the Quad leaders—India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S.

Harsh Pant, foreign policy expert at the Observer Research Foundation, noted the significance of Vance’s visit, especially against the backdrop of escalating U.S.-China tensions. He stated that Vance has assumed a prominent role in American diplomacy, adding layers of importance to the ongoing discussions.

While Vance’s agenda includes productive talks, sources indicate that no definitive trade deals are expected to be signed during this visit. India’s procurement plans also involve co-producing arms, including Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker infantry combat vehicles, as outlined in prior agreements.

Discussions about these arms procurements are anticipated to continue with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s upcoming visit to India. As both nations work towards strengthening their partnership, Vance’s presence in India signifies a mutual interest in navigating challenges in trade and defense.