LIVE: Vances receive traditional Rajasthani welcome at Jaipur's Amber Fort
Vance's first visit to India comes weeks after US President Donald Trump imposed and then paused a sweeping tariff regime against 60 countries, including India
US Vice President JD Vance, visiting India with his wife and children, on Tuesday (April 22) landed in Jaipur, where he was accorded a traditional Rajasthani welcome at the historic Amber Fort.
Vance, accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha Chilukuri, their three children -- Ewan, Vivek, Mirabel -- departed the luxurious Rambagh Palace Hotel, surrounded by tight security, and reached the UNESCO World Heritage site at around 9.30 am. They received a red carpet welcome.
The family enjoyed a cultural performance featuring folk dances, including Kacchi Ghodi, Ghoomar and Kalbeliya, offering a glimpse into the vibrant culture of Rajasthan. Vice President Vance walked the red carpet holding his sons, Ewan and Vivek, by the hand, while his wife, Usha Vance, carried their daughter Mirabel. The family appeared captivated by the impressive courtyard and architecture.
Vance arrived in Delhi on Monday morning on a four-day visit that came weeks after President Trump imposed and then paused a sweeping tariff regime against around 60 countries, including India.
Also read: Will PM convey India's concerns on multilateral trading system: Congress on Vance visit
‘Significant progress in bilateral pact’
On Monday evening, Vance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks focusing on boosting cooperation in areas of defence, energy and strategic technologies. In a statement issued after the meeting, the two sides said they made "significant progress" in negotiations for a mutually beneficial bilateral trade pact.
The White House said Vance and Modi welcomed "significant progress" in the negotiations for the trade pact and formally announced the "finalisation of the terms of reference" for the negotiations, laying down a roadmap for further discussions about our economic priorities.
Following the talks, Modi hosted Vance and his family over dinner at his 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence that was also joined by several Union Cabinet ministers and American officials.
Also read: Vances’ Delhi schedule: Akshardham temple visit, dinner with PM Modi
The prime minister's office said Modi conveyed to Vance his warm greetings for President Donald Trump and said that he looked forward to his visit to India later this year.
Modi’s message
In a social media post, Modi said the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership will be a defining partnership of the 21st century for a "better future of our people and the world".
"Pleased to welcome US @VP @JDVance and his family in New Delhi. We reviewed the fast-paced progress following my visit to the US and meeting with President Trump," he said.
"We are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation, including in trade, technology, defence, energy and people-to-people exchanges," he added.
New Delhi and Washington are holding negotiations to seal a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) as agreed during Modi's talks with Trump in Washington DC in February.
Also read: 'Zero-for-zero' tariff strategy under India-US trade pact unlikely
The trade pact is expected to address a variety of issues including tariff and market access. India is looking at firming up the first tranche of the trade pact before Trump's pause on the customised reciprocal tariffs lapses.
Amrit Kaal and Golden Age
The White House said the trade pact (BTA) "presents an opportunity" to negotiate a new and modern agreement focused on promoting job creation and citizen well-being in both countries, with the goal of enhancing bilateral trade and supply-chain integration in a balanced and mutually beneficial manner.
"Guided by their respective visions of 'Amrit Kaal for India' and 'Golden Age for America,' BTA is expected to create new opportunities of growth for workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs in both countries," it said.
In a post on 'X', Vance said: "It was an honor to see Prime Minister Modi this evening. He’s a great leader and he was incredibly kind to my family." "I look forward to working under President Trump’s leadership to strengthen our friendship and cooperation with the people of India!" he said.
Also read: JD Vance’s Greenland visit sparks row after Second Lady’s humiliating experience
Agra, Rajasthan visit
Vance is the first US vice president to visit India in 12 years after Joe Biden visited New Delhi in 2013.
On April 22, the Vances will visit a number of historical sites in Jaipur including the Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort. The fort is a UNESCO world heritage site.
In the afternoon, the US Vice President is scheduled to address a gathering at the Rajasthan International Center in Jaipur.
Vance is expected to delve into broader aspects of India-US relations under the Trump administration during his speech that is expected to be attended by diplomats, foreign policy experts, Indian government officials and academia.
The US Vice President and his family will travel to Agra on the morning of April 23, people familiar with the matter said.
In Agra, they will visit the Taj Mahal and Shilpgram, which is an open-air emporium showcasing various Indian artefacts, they said.
After concluding their visit to Agra, the Vances will return to Jaipur on the second half of April 23.
Vance and his family will depart for the US from Jaipur on April 24, according to the people cited above.
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Live Updates
- 21 April 2025 5:13 PM IST
Our kids, in particular, loved it: Vance's note after temple visit
US Vice President J D Vance, his Indian-origin wife Usha and their three children began their India trip on Monday with a visit to the sprawling Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple near the banks of the Yamuna.
“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 in the temple guest book.
Once done, the family posed for camera crews outside the imposing facade of the temple.
“They were given a traditional welcome after which they had ‘darshan’. A carved wooden elephant, a model of the Delhi Akshardham Temple and children’s books were gifted to the family,” a priest at the temple told PTI.
Temple volunteer Meera Sondagar added that the vice-president was especially captivated by the intricately sculpted Gajendra Peeth, a plinth adorned with carvings of elephants that symbolises strength and wisdom.
“He was shown the entire Akshardham complex and was deeply moved by the experience. He said he felt a sense of peace here,” she said.
The temple also put out a post on X about the visit.
Inaugurated in 2005, the temple dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan is a must see for most visitors to the capital. Swaminarayan, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, established the Swaminarayan faith and renewed the ideals of Hinduism in 18th century India. He established a spiritual way of life and code of conduct to be followed, according to the website of BAPS Swaminarayan.
Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty visited the temple during their India tour last year.
- 21 April 2025 5:05 PM IST
Vance kids steal hearts in Indian attire
Dressed in traditional Indian attire chosen especially for their visit to India, US Vice-President JD Vance’s three children won hearts, with their photographs going viral on social media shortly after they landed in Delhi on Monday.
While the boys — eight-year-old Ewan and five-year-old Vivek — wore yellow and grey kurtas with white pyjamas, Vance’s three-year-old daughter Mirabel was dressed in a teal Anarkali suit and a jacket.
The trio became a hit among the photographers covering the visit as soon as they deplaned, with their photographs trending on social media during the day.
While Vance wore a navy-blue business suit paired with a white shirt and a red tie, his wife chose a red long dress with a white blazer.
- 21 April 2025 5:03 PM IST
Delhi roads choked over Vance visit
Several parts of Delhi suffered massive traffic jams on Monday as restrictions and diversions were put in place across the city for US Vice President JD Vance’s visit.
Commuters heading to work in Delhi from adjoining Noida and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh and Gurugram in Haryana found themselves stuck for a long time due to the traffic congestion.
While the traffic police issued an advisory over its measures for the high-profile visit, many commuters said the restrictions put in place for a ‘VIP’ was unfair to the common citizen.
Routes connecting Noida to Delhi, including the extended stretch near Sector 62, the DND (Delhi-Noida Direct) Flyway, and the Meerut Expressway from Ghaziabad, experienced heavy traffic snarls with office-goers taking to social media platforms to express their frustration.
Calling the traffic jam “insane” near Sector 62, Noida, a user on X said, “The 8-km stretch has been overloaded with traffic for more than 45 mins now at Delhi-Meerut NH.”
“Very heavy traffic on Delhi-Meerut Expressway on service road towards Delhi from Crossings/Vijay Nagar. Standstill for the last 30 minutes, haven't moved an inch,” another user wrote.
Delhi Cantt, Dhaula Kuan, Lajpat Nagar, Mahipalur, Vasant Kunj, and Rajouri Garden also saw heavy traffic snarls.
“Horrible state of traffic in front of the Supreme Court due to such elaborate traffic arrangements for US vice president. What about us? My wife is not well, the kids are suffering, and I am stuck in a car. Delhi is a horrible place to be, I am sorry to say that,” a commuter said.
Another commuter said that he was stuck in traffic for 45 minutes at Thamaiya Road in Delhi Cantt. “I have a flight; all roads are blocked for the airport. How can this be acceptable today? Why is the public being punished for VIP movement?” he asked.
Delhi Traffic Police made elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth movement of Vance's convoy.
A police official said ahead of Vance’s arrival, "Special traffic arrangements will be in place from 6 pm to 9 pm on Monday in view of a special event. The public is advised to avoid specific roads and use alternate routes during the restricted hours.”
“Due to exigencies, traffic restrictions and diversions will be in place in both the carriageways and service road around IP Marg, ITO crossing, Vikas Marg, MGM IP flyover and BSZ Marg from W-Point up to A-Point.
“Commuters are advised to avoid these routes from 9 am to 12 pm and use alternative roads for a hassle-free journey. Parking will only be allowed in designated areas,” an advisory issued by Delhi Traffic Police said.
