New Delhi, April 20 - Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a dinner for US Vice President JD Vance and his Indian-origin wife Usha on Monday evening. However, before that, the two leaders will hold talks on several key issues including trade, tariffs, regional security and ways to enhance the overall bilateral relationship. The US Vice President, his wife Usha and their three children - Evan, Vivek and Mirabel - will arrive at the Palam Air Base at 10 am on Monday for a four-day visit to India.
Vance's maiden visit to India comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has postponed retaliatory tariffs on about 60 countries, including India, by 90 days. Meanwhile, New Delhi and Washington are in talks to sign a bilateral trade agreement. Under this agreement, several issues including tariffs and market access are expected to be resolved.
Vance will also visit the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple with his family a few hours after reaching Delhi. According to sources, the Vance couple may also visit a shopping complex selling traditional Indian handicrafts.
The Vance family will be welcomed by a senior Union Cabinet minister on their arrival at the Palam airbase. Apart from Delhi, Vance and his family will also visit Jaipur and Agra.
People familiar with Vance's visit said that at least five senior officials are expected to accompany the US Vice President, including officials from the Pentagon and the State Department. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive Vance and his family at his 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence at 6:30 pm on Monday. This will be followed by official talks. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishra and Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra are expected to be part of the Indian team led by Prime Minister Modi.