Go to will embrace talks with PM Modi as New Delhi is in search of to keep away from sweeping 26 p.c Trump tariffs.
United States Vice President JD Vance has arrived in India for a four-day go to as New Delhi appears to be like to keep away from US tariffs, negotiate a bilateral commerce cope with Washington and strengthen ties with the administration of President Donald Trump.
Vance was assembly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, the primary day of his largely private go to. He was greeted with a hug by the Indian chief at his residence in New Delhi, pictures launched by the Indian authorities confirmed.
Over the go to, the 2 leaders had been anticipated to carry discussions on bilateral ties outlined in February when Modi met Trump on the White Home in Washington, DC.
The US is India’s largest buying and selling accomplice, and the 2 international locations have been holding negotiations aimed toward sealing a commerce settlement this yr. The talks had began earlier than Trump early this month introduced sweeping tariffs on all commerce companions, together with 26 p.c levies on India.
Trump later paused the country-specific tariffs for 90 days. His administration framed the transfer as a part of a grand negotiating tactic aimed toward leveraging higher offers with companions like India.
Below the present plan being mentioned, India and the US have set the formidable goal of greater than doubling their commerce to $500bn by 2030.
Vance’s first go to to New Delhi since turning into vp in January additionally coincides with a quickly intensifying commerce warfare between Washington and Beijing, which is New Delhi’s predominant rival within the area.
Modi and Vance are anticipated to “overview the progress in bilateral relations” and “change views on regional and international developments of mutual curiosity”, India’s Ministry of Exterior Affairs mentioned.
On Monday, ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned Vance’s go to will “additional deepen the India-US complete international strategic partnership”.
Countering China
Washington has lengthy seen India as an vital strategic ally in combating the rising affect of China within the Asia Pacific area and has sought to strengthen ties in recent times.
India is a part of the Quadrilateral Safety Dialogue with the US, Japan and Australia and is seen as a counterbalance to China’s growth. Trump is predicted to attend a summit of Quad leaders in India later this yr.
Modi had personally sought to ascertain a powerful working relationship with Trump throughout the US president’s first time period in workplace from 2017 to 2021.
The Indian chief was then among the many first leaders to go to the US and maintain talks with Trump after he returned to the White Home for a second time period on January 20.
Throughout his go to, Modi hailed a “mega partnership” with the US.
The 2 leaders introduced plans to broaden their defence partnership with India signalling its willingness to adjust to a number of of the Trump administration’s calls for, together with buying extra US oil, vitality and defence tools.
Modi has additionally cooperated with Trump’s marketing campaign to deport folks dwelling within the US with out documentation. India has accepted a lot of its residents expelled from the US previously few months with the prime minister’s workplace batting away criticism of how some deportees have been handled.
Regardless of the elevated coordination, Trump has continued to name India a “tariff abuser” and “tariff king”.
