New Delhi — U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in India on Monday for a four-day go to as New Delhi seems to keep away from U.S. tariffs, negotiate a bilateral commerce take care of Washington and strengthen ties with the Trump administration.

Vance will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the primary day of his largely private go to. The 2 leaders are anticipated to carry discussions on bilateral ties outlined in February when Modi met President Trump in Washington.

The U.S. is India’s largest buying and selling associate and the 2 nations at the moment are holding negotiations geared toward sealing a bilateral commerce settlement this 12 months.

Shortly after his arrival in New Delhi, phrase got here that Pope Francis had died. Vance had met with Francis in Rome on Easter Sunday.

Vance posted his condolences on X, saying,”My coronary heart goes out to the thousands and thousands of Christians everywhere in the world who liked him. I used to be completely happy to see him yesterday, although he was clearly very in poor health. However I will at all times bear in mind him for the beneath homily he gave within the very early days of COVID. It was actually fairly lovely. Could God relaxation his soul.”

Modi, whose nation has practically 30 million Christians who make up 2.3% of the inhabitants, says Francis will at all times be remembered “as a beacon of compassion, humility and non secular braveness by thousands and thousands the world over.

“From a younger age, he devoted himself in the direction of realizing the beliefs of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For many who had been struggling, he ignited a spirit of hope,” Modi stated.

The Indian chief posted a photograph of himself with the pope and stated he was “tremendously impressed by his dedication to inclusive and all-round improvement.” 

They’ve set an bold goal of greater than doubling their bilateral commerce to $500 billion by 2030. If achieved, the commerce deal might considerably improve financial ties between the 2 nations and doubtlessly strengthen diplomatic ties as effectively.

Vance’s first go to to New Delhi comes amid the backdrop of Mr. Trump’s now-paused tariff program towards most nations, together with India. It additionally coincides with a quickly intensifying commerce battle between Washington and Beijing, which is New Delhi’s fundamental rival within the area.

Modi and Vance are anticipated to “evaluate the progress in bilateral relations” and “alternate views on regional and international developments of mutual curiosity,” India’s Overseas Ministry stated final week.

“We’re very constructive that the go to will give an additional enhance to our bilateral ties,” spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated.

Vance was greeted with an Indian classical dance efficiency after he arrived at New Delhi’s Palam airport on Monday, following his go to to Rome. He’s accompanied by his spouse, Usha Vance, a practising Hindu whose mother and father are from India, together with their youngsters and officers from the U.S. administration.

The couple and their three younger youngsters visited the Akshardham Hindu temple in New Delhi after their arrival and are anticipated to tour the long-lasting Taj Mahal monument and the Twelfth-century Amer Fort – a UNESCO world heritage website – throughout their journey.

Why U.S.-India ties matter  

India is a detailed associate of the U.S. and an necessary strategic ally in combating the rising affect of China within the Indo-Pacific area.

It is also a part of “the Quad,” which is comprised of the U.S., India, Japan and Australia and is seen as a counterbalance to China’s enlargement within the area. Mr. Trump is anticipated to attend a summit of Quad leaders in India later this 12 months.

Modi established a great working relationship with Mr. Trump throughout his first time period in workplace and the 2 leaders are more likely to additional enhance cooperation between their nations.

He was among the many first leaders to go to the U.S. and maintain talks with Mr. Trump after he returned to the White Home. Throughout his go to, Modi hailed a “mega partnership” with the U.S., and kickstarted a negotiation course of to attenuate the attainable fallout of Mr. Trump’s tariffs.

The 2 leaders additionally stated they deliberate to develop their protection partnership, with India signaling compliance with the Trump administration’s calls for, saying it’s going to buy extra oil, power and protection tools from the U.S.

Regardless, Mr. Trump focused India with a 26% levy, a part of which has since been paused. Nevertheless, he has continued to name India a “tariff abuser” and “tariff king.”

The commerce negotiations are particularly pressing for New Delhi because it could possibly be hit arduous by Mr. Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, significantly within the agriculture, processed meals, auto elements, high-end equipment, medical tools and jewellery sectors.