US Vice-President J.D. Vance, accompanied by his Indian-born wife, Usha Vance, will next week visit India as part of a two-nation tour. The White House confirmed on Wednesday that their trip will take them to Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
During his stay in the capital, Vice-President Vance is set to receive Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This will be Vance's inaugural official visit to India and the first of a US Vice-President in more than a decade—Joe Biden was the last, having traveled there in 2013 as part of President Barack Obama's administration.
The Vances will start their international tour in Italy before heading to India, with the visit covering Friday until April 24.
"In India, the Vice President will travel to New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra," a statement from the office of Vance read. "The Vice President will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Vice President and Second Family will also engage in activities at sites of culture."
The White House did not comment on whether National Security Advisor Mike Waltz would accompany the India leg of the visit. Should he do visit, that will be the third high-level visit to India by the present Trump administration after that of Vice-President Vance and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
Vance earlier met Prime Minister Modi in Paris this February during the AI summit. On that visit, Usha Vance and their two sons also got a chance to meet the Indian leader. But Wednesday's announcement did not clarify whether their children would travel with them on this forthcoming visit.
One of the high-profile members of President Donald Trump's administration, Vance has emerged as a staunch defender of the President's policy agenda. Trump regularly asks him to address foreign leaders in televised meetings. Vance's most significant contribution was made during Oval Office talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Usha Vance, née Usha Bala Chilukuri, was born in San Diego to parents who immigrated from Andhra Pradesh.
Interestingly, Kamala Harris, Vance's predecessor and herself of Indian origin from her Tamil Nadu-based maternal family, also did not visit India during her vice-presidency. Neither did Mike Pence, Trump's first-term incumbent, who also had wanted to visit India but could not do so.
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