New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic engagement, US Vice President JD Vance met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday during his four-day official visit to India. The high-level meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi, primarily focused on finalising the long-anticipated India-US bilateral trade deal.
Welcomed warmly along with his India-origin wife Usha Vance and their children, JD Vance’s visit underscores the Biden administration’s growing emphasis on strengthening strategic and economic ties with India. Following the closed-door meeting between the two leaders, delegation-level talks were held, reflecting the advanced stage of negotiations aimed at resolving key trade issues.
Watch: PM Modi welcomes US Vice President JD Vance, Usha Vance & children at his residence pic.twitter.com/wJIIadm9Rr
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The meeting comes at a time when global markets remain tense due to the ongoing US-China trade conflict. Amid this backdrop, India and the US are positioning themselves to deepen economic cooperation.
While Washington has signaled urgency to wrap up the deal—especially after a temporary pause in the additional 26% tariffs imposed on Indian exports—the Indian government has reiterated that any agreement must reflect national interests. “India will not be rushed or pressured into a deal,” a senior official emphasized, adding that any final agreement must be fair and mutually beneficial.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to take the dialogue forward during her upcoming visit to Washington DC for an IMF meeting, where she will engage with senior US officials for advanced-level discussions.
The trade deal, if concluded, could significantly boost economic collaboration between the world’s two largest democracies, paving the way for enhanced market access, technology exchange, and investment opportunities.
