JD Vance India Visit Live Updates: 'Honour to welcome US VP Vance, his family to Jaipur,' says Rajasthan CM

US Vice President JD Vance and his family visited Jaipur’s historic Amber Fort on Tuesday morning, marking a key cultural stop during their India tour.

Upon arrival, the family was welcomed with a red carpet reception. As they entered Jaleb Chowk, the fort’s main courtyard, they were greeted by two ornately decorated female elephants, Chanda and Mala, who raised their trunks in ceremonial welcome. The reception set the tone for a vibrant cultural showcase.

The Vance family watched a traditional Rajasthani folk performance, featuring popular dances such as Kacchi Ghodi, Ghoomar, and Kalbeliya, offering a rich glimpse into the region’s cultural heritage. Vice President Vance walked the red carpet hand-in-hand with his sons, while Usha Vance carried their daughter.

US Vice President JD Vance, currently on a four-day visit to India with his wife Usha Vance and their children, visited Jaipur on Tuesday for a cultural tour. The family travelled from Rambagh Palace, where they are staying, to the iconic Amber Fort, where they were welcomed with vibrant Rajasthani folk performances and traditionally adorned elephants.

Earlier in Delhi, the Vances visited the Central Cottage Industries Emporium, where they explored Indian handicrafts and purchased pottery, papier-mâché items, and teas. Showroom GM Meera Somani noted the family’s appreciation for Indian artistry. They also visited the Akshardham Temple, where their children wore traditional Indian attire—kurta-pyjamas and an Anarkali-style dress. The family spent nearly an hour at the temple, with Vice President Vance offering prayers for world peace.

The visit began with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Palam Airport, where Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw welcomed the delegation. On Monday, Vance held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praising him as “a great leader” and expressing gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to his family.

In a post on X, Vance said he looked forward to deepening India-U.S. cooperation under President Trump’s leadership. The family is set to visit Agra on Wednesday before departing India on 24 April.

Pride and anticipation filled Vadluru village in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district as Usha Vance, wife of US vice president JD Vance, began a four-day visit to India on Monday with her family. The US Second Lady’s ancestral roots trace back to Vadluru, a lush village nourished by the River Godavari. Accompanied by her husband and their three children—Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel—Usha Vance landed in Delhi on a mostly personal trip amid rising global trade tensions.

“We all came to know that Usha has come to Delhi today. We, on behalf of Vadluru, eagerly expect her to visit the village,” said PV Ramanaiah. Although her itinerary does not include Vadluru, villagers remain hopeful. Former sarpanch P Srinivasa Raju expressed regret at the short notice and said locals would have made efforts to meet her elsewhere. Usha’s nonagenarian relative, C Santhamma, said she is proud of her achievements and hopes to meet her soon.

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Jaipur from Delhi on Monday night with his wife Usha and their three children—Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel. They are staying at the Rambagh Palace and will visit the historic Amber Fort on Tuesday, which has been closed to the public for security. Vance is also scheduled to deliver a lecture on US-India relations at the Rajasthan International Centre. The family will visit Agra on Wednesday before returning to Jaipur to tour the City Palace. Tight security is in place, and they will receive a traditional Rajasthani welcome with elephants.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Vice President JD Vance welcomed the “significant progress” made in ongoing negotiations toward a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), aimed at advancing the welfare of citizens in both countries. The meeting took place during Vice President Vance’s four-day visit to India, where he was accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance and their children.

The US side formally announced the finalisation of the Terms of Reference for the negotiations, establishing a clear framework for future discussions focused on shared economic priorities. Both leaders expressed strong support for the early conclusion of the agreement, which could help India avert the risk of reciprocal tariffs proposed by the Trump administration. Vance emphasized the U.S. commitment to fostering a fair and balanced trade relationship with India.

During his visit to India, US Vice President JD Vance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the India-US COMPACT — a new initiative to deepen military, trade, and technology ties. The COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) focuses on mutual trust and citizen engagement. Both leaders described it as a step toward a defining 21st-century partnership. They also welcomed progress on a US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement, aimed at supporting workers and businesses in both countries. Vance is on a four-day tour of India with his family, currently visiting Jaipur and scheduled to travel to Agra next.

Prime Minister Modi hosted US Vice President JD Vance and his family in New Delhi, where the two discussed expanding cooperation in defence, energy, and trade. Modi shared that the visit builds on earlier discussions with President Trump and said both nations are committed to people-focused growth. Vance called it an "honour" to meet the PM and said he looked forward to working together. The leaders launched a new partnership initiative called COMPACT and announced plans for trade negotiations. Vance’s trip includes stops in Jaipur and Agra and ends on April 24. His visit signals stronger India-US ties.

US Vice President JD Vance called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "great leader" during his first official visit to India. Vance, who arrived in New Delhi on Monday, expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to him and his family at PM Modi's residence. He praised Modi for being "incredibly kind" and shared his hopes for stronger US-India relations under President Trump's leadership. The two leaders also discussed the India-US COMPACT, a new initiative aimed at boosting defence, technology, and trade cooperation. Vance is currently in Jaipur and will visit Agra before concluding his trip on April 24.

Guided by visions of “Amrit Kaal” and “Golden Age,” JD Vance and PM Modi welcomed the finalisation of the Terms of Reference for the US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement. During a meeting at Modi’s residence, both leaders stressed the importance of a balanced trade deal that boosts jobs and well-being in both countries. Vance was accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance, their children, and senior officials. Their talks also covered regional and global matters. PM Modi praised earlier talks with President Trump in Washington. The visit signals growing ties in trade, technology, and defence, and continued cooperation through the COMPACT initiative.

"It was an honor to see Prime Minister Modi this evening. He’s a great leader and he was incredibly kind to my family. I look forward to working under President Trump’s leadership to strengthen our friendship and cooperation with the people of India!" he said.

"Pleased to welcome US @VP@JDVance and his family in New Delhi. We reviewed the fast-paced progress following my visit to the US and meeting with President Trump. We are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation, including in trade, technology, defence, energy and people-to-people exchanges. India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership will be a defining partnership of the 21st Century for a better future of our people and the world," he said.

"The two leaders also exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward. Prime Minister extended his best wishes to the Vice President, Second Lady and their children for a pleasant and productive stay in India. Prime Minister conveyed his warm greetings to President Trump and said that he looked forward to his visit to India later this year," the press release said.

"Prime Minister and Vice President Vance reviewed and positively assessed the progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation. They welcomed the significant progress in the negotiations for a mutually beneficial India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement focused on the welfare of the people of the two countries. Likewise, they noted continued efforts towards enhancing cooperation in energy, defence, strategic technologies and other areas. The two leaders also exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward," according to press statement.

"Prime Minister conveyed his warm greetings to President Trump and said that he looked forward to his visit to India later this year," a press release said.

In their talks, PM Modi and Vance welcomed progress in the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with US Vice President JD Vance in New Delhi, amid ongoing efforts to finalise a bilateral trade agreement. The meeting focused on strengthening India-US strategic cooperation and addressing New Delhi’s concerns over recent shifts in Washington’s trade policies.

Vance, accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha Chilukuri and a delegation of senior US officials, arrived in the capital earlier in the day for a four-day visit following a weekend trip to Italy. This marks the first visit by a US vice president to India in over a decade, the last being Joe Biden’s in 2013.

The talks come shortly after US President Donald Trump announced and then temporarily suspended a broad tariff policy affecting around 60 nations, including India. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to host a dinner in honour of the visiting dignitary and his entourage.

He also interacted with the kids of JD and Usha Vance. The two leaders are currently holding bilateral talks with trade and tariffs on the agenda.

The two leaders are holding bilateral talks at PM Modi's residence.

"JD Vance's visit to India in the early days of significance is significant...Any relationship in the world, including our own domestic relations at home, is complicated. The complications were there earlier, too. My take is that these challenges must be converted into opportunities, and this issue is also similar in kind. Though it has become huge, it is a worldwide phenomenon, it is a new technique, but this doesn't mean that India-US relations will be pushed under the carpet. All this will flow together..," he said.

"I worked with President Trump in his first administration...US -India relations have many dimensions and trade is one part of it. Trade will also get sorted out. Be a bit patient, see this relationship, in the coming days you will see its contours emerging..," he added.

"He is going to have an important meeting with the Prime Minister and also it a cultural visit to the country in which he is deeply invested in his family," he said.

US Vice President JD Vance, along with his Indian-origin wife Usha and their three children, visited the Central Cottage Industries Emporium (CCIE) in Janpath, New Delhi, on Monday, where they bought traditional Indian handicrafts. The Vances, who arrived in the capital earlier that day, kicked off their India tour with a morning visit to the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, located near the Yamuna River. Their next stop was the government-run Cottage Emporium, renowned for showcasing genuine handloom and handicraft items from across the country. "It was a wonderful visit and he (Vance) enjoyed it a lot. We were quite enthusiastic. He also purchased some items from our showroom," CCIE General Manager Meera Somani told PTI videos.

Massive traffic snarls were reported across several parts of Delhi on Monday as the city implemented tight security measures and traffic diversions for the visit of US Vice President JD Vance. Vance, accompanied by second lady Usha Vance, landed in New Delhi around 9.30am, prompting widespread restrictions that severely disrupted the morning commute.

Commuters traveling from neighboring cities like Noida and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, and Gurugram in Haryana, faced long delays as key routes into the capital—such as the DND Flyway, Sector 62 stretch in Noida, and the Meerut Expressway—were choked with traffic. Despite the Delhi Traffic Police issuing an advisory ahead of the visit, many office-goers expressed their frustration on social media, criticizing the inconvenience caused to the public by what they described as 'VIP treatment' for visiting dignitaries.

US Vice President JD Vance is set to visit Jaipur as part of his ongoing trip to India, with a packed itinerary that includes cultural visits and a key policy address. Arriving by special aircraft at 9.30pm on Monday, Vance will stay at the historic Rambagh Palace hotel. On Tuesday morning, he will tour the Unesco World Heritage Site Amber Fort at 9am, followed by a public address on US-India relations at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) at 3pm.

He will be accompanied by his wife Usha, their children, and senior officials from the US administration. Security has been heightened across the city for the high-level visit, and the Amber Fort has been closed to tourists for 24 hours from noon on Monday to facilitate the arrangements, according to the state's department of archaeology.

Vance is scheduled to travel to Agra on Wednesday morning and will return to Jaipur later that afternoon to visit the City Palace. He will conclude his India trip and depart for the US early Thursday morning.

"Thank you all so much for your hospitality and kindness in welcoming me and my family to this beautiful place. It is a great credit to India that you built a beautiful temple with precision and care. Our kids in particular loved it. God Bless," he said.

"This is a handloom handicraft emporium. They liked everything. They were short of time, but they spent almost 40-45 minutes. They bought tea, honey, papier-mâché items, wooden items and pottery. And they really appreciated the goods. They were very humble and soft-spoken... She bought whatever the kids said..," Meetu Wazirani said.

Vance, along with his family, explored a wide array of traditional Indian handicrafts. Store Manager Vinay Agrawal expressed his excitement over the high-profile visit, saying, "We are very thrilled and happy that, along with the family, they visited here. They bought some papier-mâché items, small gift items for the kids and some brass items... They visited all the counters in the showroom."

"Central Cotton Industry is one of the temples of art and craft. It is not an ordinary shop. Central Cotton Industry is a very big organisation in Asia and deals with hand-to-man handicrafts. She (Usha Vance) really liked the art and craft..," he added.

During US Vice President JD Vance’s official visit to India, former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla described him as a key figure in the Trump administration's second term. "Trump 2.0 has just begun. It's been barely 4 months since President Trump was sworn into office for the second term, and Vice President JD Vance has emerged as a very important player in this administration,” Shringla said.

He added, “He is someone who has been able to articulate the vision of President Trump, both at the domestic and global levels. For us, what is important is that his wife, Usha Vance, is of Indian origin and that connection is an important one..."

On US Vice President JD Vance's visit to Akshardham Temple, Radhika Shukla, Akshardham Temple Spokesperson said, "A souvenir was given to them so that their unforgettable memories remain forever. When he was having a darshan at Akshardham Temple, he really liked the artwork, the messages given here and the cultural carvings here. His children also enjoyed a lot. They experienced the culture and tradition of our country."

Commuters in Delhi and Noida faced heavy traffic on Monday morning, particularly on NH-24, due to security and traffic curbs for US Vice President JD Vance’s visit. Long vehicle queues were seen during peak hours, with significant delays reported.

Delhi Traffic Police advised avoiding key roads from 9am to 12pm and again between 6pm and 9pm. Restricted routes included IP Marg, ITO Crossing, Sardar Patel Marg, and Dhaula Kuan Flyover, among others. No stopping or parking was allowed, and improperly parked vehicles risked towing and fines.

Diversions were in place at key junctions such as Tughlaq Road Roundabout and Shanti Path. Commuters were urged to use alternatives like Vande Mataram Marg and public transport.

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in India on Monday for his first official visit, accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance, their three children, Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel, and a high-level delegation of senior American officials.

The four-day trip, from April 21 to 24, comes amid ongoing negotiations between New Delhi and Washington for a bilateral trade agreement aimed at resolving key issues such as tariffs and market access.

As United States Vice President JD Vance began his first official visit to India on Monday morning, accompanied by his India-origin wife Usha Vance, the couple's three children charmed onlookers with their choice of clothing.

Ewan, Vivek, and little Maribel were all dressed in traditional Indian outfits, with the boys wearing kurta pyjamas while the toddler sported what looked like a mini version of an Anarkali style suit teamed with an embroidered jacket.

Vance arrived at Palam Airport in the national capital on his first official visit to India accompanied by the Second Lady Usha, their three children, and key members of the US administration.

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was at the airport to receive them. Visuals from the airport showed the minister, who was dressed in a white kurta pyjama, himself engaging in some conversation with Vance's eldest son.

The high-level diplomatic trip, scheduled from April 21 to 24, is expected to focus on enhancing strategic, economic, and defence ties between the two nations.

After their arrival, a ceremonial guard of honour was given to the visiting dignitaries marking the formal commencement of the visit.

United States Vice-President JD Vance will be in Jaipur for a four-day visit from April 21 to April 24, along with his family. He is travelling with his wife Usha, who is of Indian origin, and their three children — Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel.

During his stay, the Vice-President's itinerary includes several official engagements, tours of notable tourist attractions, and will be protected by comprehensive security measures coordinated between Indian and US security personnel.

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in India on Monday for a four-day visit as New Delhi looks to avoid US tariffs, negotiate a bilateral trade deal with Washington and strengthen ties with the Trump administration.

Vance will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the first day of his largely personal visit. The two leaders are expected to hold discussions on bilateral ties outlined in February when Modi met President Donald Trump in Washington.

The US is India’s largest trading partner and the two countries are now holding negotiations aiming to seal a bilateral trade agreement this year.

They have set an ambitious target of more than doubling their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. If achieved, the trade deal could significantly enhance economic ties between the two countries and potentially strengthen diplomatic ties as well.

Vance’s first visit to New Delhi comes amid the backdrop of Trump's now-paused tariff program against most countries, including India.

It also coincides with a rapidly intensifying trade war between Washington and Beijing, which is New Delhi’s main rival in the region.

On April 22, vice president Vance will tour Jaipur’s iconic sites, beginning with a visit to the Amer Fort, a Unesco World Heritage Site.

He is also likely to visit Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and other cultural landmarks.

Akshardham Temple Spokesperson Radhika Shukla said, "The Vice President and the Second Lady are coming for the Darshan at Akshardham Temple. She has Indian roots... They are coming here directly from the airport... They will first have the darshan of the replica of Lord Swaminarayan and then they will see the architecture of the temple... We are told that they may come anytime after 11 am."