NEW DELHI: US Vice President JD Vance met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a red carpet welcome in New Delhi on Monday, as India bids for an early trade deal to stave off punishing tariffs.

Modi’s office said that there had been “significant progress in the negotiations” with the two countries negotiating the first tranche of a trade deal. New Delhi hopes to secure relief within the 90-day pause on tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump this month.

Vance’s office similarly reported “significant progress” in the talks and said the two men had established a roadmap for how economic discussions will proceed. His four-day visit comes two months after Modi held talks at the White House with Trump, who unveiled 26 per cent tariffs on India.

An honour guard and troupes of folk dancers greeted Vance after he stepped out into the sweltering sunshine of New Delhi on Monday morning, the start of a four-day tour that will include trips to the historic fort city of Jaipur and the Taj Mahal.

Visit comes after Trump imposed 26pc tariffs on New Delhi

“Ad-Vance-ing” US-India ties, broadcaster NDTV headlined its stories. Modi, who welcomed Vance to his residence on Monday evening with a bear hug, photographs released by the Indian government showed, later hosted Vance and his family for dinner. The men discussed boosting “cooperation in energy, defence strategic technologies and other areas”, Modi’s office said, without giving further details.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2025