‘All relevant issues’ to be discussed during US VP Vance’s visit

NEW DELHI: US Vice President JD Vance, along with his family, will visit Italy and India from April 18 to April 24. Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said that India has a Comprehensive Strategic Global Partnership with the US, and when such a high-level visit takes place, all issues of importance are discussed.

“This is an Official Visit. He will be meeting the Prime Minister. And with the United States of America, we have a Comprehensive Strategic Global Partnership. So, when you have that level of partnership with any country, obviously you will discuss all relevant issues,” Jaiswal said during his weekly media briefing on Thursday.

Jaiswal added that India was very certain that the visit would give a further boost to India-US bilateral ties.

“And with America, with the United States, of course, our relationship is such that we are doing anything that is part of human endeavour… forms part of our bilateral engagement. So, all these issues, bilateral issues will be discussed. And we are very positive that the visit will give a further boost to our bilateral ties,” he said.

When asked if the Indo-Pacific would feature in their discussions, Jaiswal said that all matters of importance would be highlighted.

“On the question of Indo-Pacific, and what will be discussed during the visit of the US Vice President… all issues of importance will be discussed as part of his visit here,” he said.

The Office of the Vice President in a release on Wednesday said, “Vice President JD Vance and the Second Family will travel to Italy and India from April 18 to April 24. The Vice President will discuss shared economic and geopolitical priorities with leaders in each country.”

“In India, the Vice President will visit New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. The Vice President will hold meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Vice President and Second Family will also participate in engagements at cultural sites,” the release said. (ANI)