23.04.2025 – (12:01 PM)

India, which is seeking an early trade deal to avoid punitive tariffs, welcomed US Vice President J.D. Vanguard to New Delhi on April 21 after the latter met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi’s office said there was “significant progress” in talks, with the two countries negotiating the first phase of a trade deal.

New Delhi is hoping to secure a 90-day waiver on a slew of tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump this month.

Vanguard’s office also said the talks were progressing and that the two had established a roadmap for how the trade talks would proceed, Vanguard’s office said.

The US vice president’s four-day visit to India comes two months after Modi held talks with Trump at the White House. During Modi’s White House talks with Trump, India pledged to buy oil and gas from the United States to help it reduce its trade surplus with the United States.

Despite India’s pledge, New Delhi could not stop Trump from imposing a 26 percent tariff on India. The United States has since said it will reduce the tariff to 10 percent within 90 days.

DJ Vance stepped out into the blazing New Delhi sun on the morning of April 21, greeted by a guard of honour and a dance troupe. The four-day tour will begin with visits to the historic fort city of Jaipur and the Taj Mahal.

Indian broadcaster NDTV beautifully headlined the news with JD Vance’s name and wrote, “Ad-Vance-ing US-India ties.”

The Indian government released photos of Modi hugging Vann, who was welcomed to the palace on the evening of April 21. Modi hosted the US vice president and his family for dinner, the Indian government said.

“The two discussed ways to enhance cooperation in energy, defence, strategic technologies and other areas,” Modi’s office said, without giving details.