The visit, though largely personal—featuring stops at the Taj Mahal and a wedding in Jaipur—comes at a strategically critical moment.
India is eager to finalize a trade agreement within the 90-day window announced by President Donald Trump on April 9, which paused tariff hikes for key partners, including New Delhi.
Modi and Vance are expected to review progress on the bilateral agenda outlined during Modi’s February meeting with Trump in Washington.
Talks are set to focus on promoting “fairness” in trade and advancing defense cooperation.
India, which had a $45.7 billion trade surplus with the U.S. in 2024, is reportedly open to reducing tariffs on over half of its American imports, valued at $41.8 billion last year. However, Trump has repeatedly labeled India a “tariff abuser” and “tariff king.”
Despite the lack of planned agreements during this visit, officials say groundwork is being laid for future deals, including a potential defense partnership framework and joint production of weapons systems like Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stryker combat vehicles.
Foreign policy experts say Vance’s visit underscores India’s importance in Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, especially amid growing US.-China tensions.
“Vance is assuming a high-profile diplomatic role,” said Harsh Pant of the Observer Research Foundation. “His India trip carries weight.”
Vance’s wife, Usha, is of Indian descent, adding a personal dimension to the visit.
The trip is also seen as preparation for Trump’s expected India visit later this year for the Quad summit involving Australia, Japan, the U.S., and India.