US Vice President JD Vance receives guard of honour upon arrival in India

NEW DELHI: United States Vice President JD Vance, received a ceremonial guard of honour as he arrived at Palam airport for his first official visit to India.

JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, along with their children, were welcomed at Palam airport. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw received the Vice President.

Hoardings of Vice President Vance were also put up near Palam airport, ahead of his arrival today. Vice President Vance’s four-day official visit to India will take place from April 21 to 24.

#WATCH | Delhi: Vice President of the United States, JD Vance receives ceremonial Guard of Honour as he arrives at Palam airport for his first official visit to India. pic.twitter.com/eIuHmnG8kM

— ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2025

Vice President Vance is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today. A formal meeting between Vice President Vance and Prime Minister Modi is scheduled for 6:30 pm at the Prime Minister’s official residence, 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.

Their discussions can be focused on strengthening economic, trade, and defence cooperation between the two nations. Following official meetings, the Vance family is set to visit Jaipur and Agra. Vice President Vance will travel to Jaipur on Tuesday. On April 23, he is scheduled to visit Agra.

Vance’s visit to India will conclude on Thursday, April 24, with his departure from the country at 6:40 am. The visit is also crucial, as all relevant issues between India and the United States will be discussed during the upcoming visit of US Vice President JD Vance from April 21 to 24, which is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties, said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

During the weekly media briefing last Thursday, when asked about the possibility of tariff discussions, Jaiswal said, “We have a comprehensive strategic global partnership; when you have that level of partnership with any country, obviously, you will discuss all relevant issues”.

He added, “Of course our relationship is such that we are doing anything that is part of our human endeavour from part of our bilateral engagement … so all these bilateral issue will be discussed and we are very positive that the visit will give a further boost to our bilateral ties.”Jaiswal also highlighted the ongoing discussions between India and the US regarding a potential trade agreement. “We are talking to the US side so that a bilateral trade agreement can be done,” he said.

Earlier, JD Vance and his family concluded their three-day visit to Italy, where he held bilateral meetings and attended religious services during the Easter weekend.

Vance arrived in Italy on Friday and held expanded bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. On Saturday, he met with Church officials, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State. The Vice President concluded his visit on Easter Sunday after a meeting with Pope Francis. (ANI)