A lady and a baby stroll previous a banner welcoming U.S. Vice President JD Vance on a road in New Delhi, India, on Monday.
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NEW DELHI — U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in India on Monday for a four-day go to as New Delhi appears to be like to keep away from U.S. tariffs, negotiate a bilateral commerce take care of Washington and strengthen ties with the Trump administration.
Vance will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the primary day of his largely private go to. The 2 leaders are anticipated to carry discussions on bilateral ties outlined in February when Modi met President Donald Trump in Washington.
The U.S. is India’s largest buying and selling accomplice and the 2 international locations at the moment are holding negotiations aiming to seal a bilateral commerce settlement this 12 months.
They’ve set an formidable goal of greater than doubling their bilateral commerce to $500 billion by 2030. If achieved, the commerce deal may considerably improve financial ties between the 2 international locations and doubtlessly strengthen diplomatic ties as effectively.
Vance’s first go to to New Delhi comes amid the backdrop of Trump’s now-paused tariff program in opposition to most international locations, together with India. It additionally coincides with a quickly intensifying commerce battle between Washington and Beijing, which is New Delhi’s fundamental rival within the area.
“We’re very constructive that the go to will give an additional enhance to our bilateral ties,” Indian Overseas Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal informed reporters final week.
Vance was greeted with an Indian classical dance efficiency after he arrived at New Delhi’s Palam airport on Monday, following his go to to Rome, the place he met Pope Francis on Easter Sunday. He’s accompanied by his spouse, Usha Vance, whose dad and mom are from India, together with their kids and officers from the U.S. administration. The couple will go to historic websites within the cities of Jaipur and Agra.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance and second girl Usha Vance arrive in New Delhi, India, on Monday.
Kenny Holston/AP/Pool The New York Instances
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Kenny Holston/AP/Pool The New York Instances
India is an in depth accomplice of the U.S. and an necessary strategic ally in combating the rising affect of China within the Indo-Pacific area.
It is usually a part of the Quad, which is comprised of the U.S., India, Japan and Australia and is seen as a counterbalance to China’s enlargement within the area. Trump is anticipated to attend a summit of Quad leaders in India later this 12 months.
Modi established a very good working relationship with Trump throughout his first time period in workplace and the 2 leaders are prone to additional enhance cooperation between their international locations.
He was among the many first leaders to go to the U.S. and maintain talks with Trump after he returned to the White Home. Throughout his go to, Modi hailed a “mega partnership” with the U.S., and kickstarted a negotiation course of to attenuate the attainable fallout of Trump’s tariffs.
The 2 leaders additionally mentioned they deliberate to develop their protection partnership, with India signaling compliance with the Trump administration’s calls for, saying it is going to buy extra oil, power and protection tools from the U.S.
Regardless, Trump focused India with a 26% levy, which has since been paused. Nonetheless, he has continued to name India a “tariff abuser” and “tariff king.”
The commerce negotiations are particularly pressing for New Delhi because it might be hit exhausting by Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, significantly within the agriculture, processed meals, auto elements, high-end equipment, medical tools and jewellery sectors.