Trade Agreement and Global Issues Highlighted During US VP Vance's Upcoming Four-Day Visit to India
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Synopsis
US Vice-President J.D. Vance's four-day visit to India begins on Monday, focusing on a trade agreement, bilateral relations, and outcomes from the India-US joint statement from February. His trip includes meetings with Prime Minister Modi and visits to Jaipur and Agra.
Key Takeaways
- Trade Agreement discussions will be central to the visit.
- Vance is accompanied by a high-level US delegation.
- Meetings with Indian leaders are scheduled, including Prime Minister Modi.
- Visits to cultural sites like Amer Palace and Taj Mahal are included.
- Focus on strengthening US-India relations.
New Delhi, April 20 (NationPress) US Vice-President J.D. Vance is set to kick off his four-day visit to India on Monday, with a significant emphasis on a trade agreement, strengthening bilateral relations, and implementing the results of the India-US joint statement released in February.
Accompanied by his wife Usha Chilukuri, of Indian descent, and their three children, Vance’s trip marks the first by a sitting US Vice-President to India in over ten years, the last being Joe Biden in 2013.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to welcome Vance for discussions and dinner at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, on Monday evening.
The discussions are anticipated to focus on the long-awaited India-US bilateral trade agreement and seek ways to enhance strategic and economic relations between the two democracies.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar are expected to partake in these discussions.
Vice-President Vance will be joined by a high-ranking five-member US delegation, including officials from both the Pentagon and the State Department.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated, "The visit will serve as an opportunity for both nations to assess the progress in bilateral relations and the execution of the outcomes from the India-US Joint Statement issued on February 13 during the Prime Minister's visit to the US. The two sides will also share insights on regional and global developments of mutual interest."
After his engagements in New Delhi, Vance will depart for Jaipur on April 21, where he will remain until April 24.
On April 22, the Vice-President will tour the famous Amer Palace in the morning, where he and his family will be greeted with a traditional Rajasthani welcome.
Guests are expected to wear Jodhpuri 'safas' and enjoy folk performances, puppet shows, traditional attire, and regional cuisine during the two-and-a-half-hour visit, with the palace closed to the public for that time and 12 trained guides assigned to ensure protocol is followed.
Later that day, Vance will deliver a keynote address at the US-India Business Summit at the Rajasthan International Centre.
This summit will host prominent Indian and American officials, with Vance expected to present his vision for boosting bilateral trade and investment.
On April 23, the US Vice-President will head to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal. After nearly three hours at the monument, he will return to Jaipur that same afternoon to visit the Jaipur City Palace.
He is slated to meet with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Governor Haribhau Bagade on April 22.
Vice-President Vance will conclude his trip and return to Washington on April 24, a visit expected to strengthen the evolving partnership between the US and India on both regional and global fronts.
