PM Modi meets JD Vance amid tariff concerns; discusses progress on trade, cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with US Vice President JD Vance at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, in New Delhi. Vance was accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance, their children, and senior members of the U.S. Administration.

A PMO statement says the Prime Minister recalled his visit to Washington, D.C. in February and his discussions with US President Donald Trump, which laid down the roadmap for close cooperation between India and the U.S.

It adds that the Prime Minister and Vice President Vance reviewed and assessed the progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation. "They welcomed the significant progress in the negotiations for a mutually beneficial India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement focused on the welfare of the people of the two countries."

The two leaders also talked about continued efforts towards enhancing cooperation in energy, defence, strategic technologies and other areas. They also exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, and called for "dialogue and diplomacy" as the way forward.

Vance, who is on a four-day visit to India, was received at the Palam Airport by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today. Vance and his family also went to the Akshardham temple in Delhi today.

After his meeting with PM Modi, Vance is set to depart from Delhi and will then continue his journey to Jaipur and Agra. The US vice president is expected to stay at Jaipur’s famous luxury hotel, Rambagh Palace, a Taj-run property. Built in 1835, the Rambagh Palace once served as a royal guesthouse and hunting lodge.

On April 22, the Vance family is likely to visit Amer Fort and renowned heritage sites like Hawa Mahal and City Palace. On April 23, the Vance family will leave for Agra where they will be received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The Vance family is scheduled to tour the Taj Mahal, which will remain closed to the general public from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM on April 23. Vance and his family will then return to Jaipur.

Vance's visit to India is also viewed as helping to prepare the way for Trump's upcoming trip to the country later this year, when he is expected to attend a summit with the leaders of the Quad alliance, which consists of India, Australia, Japan, and the United States.

The visit comes amid the backdrop of the tariff hike announced by US President Donald Trump. The U.S. plans to increase the 10% tariffs on Indian exports to 26% if no trade deal is struck by the end of the 90-day pause Trump put in place earlier this month.