US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance will visit India later this month, with this being Vice President Vance’s second official trip abroad and Usha’s first as Second Lady. The visit comes amid ongoing discussions over trade tariffs, with President Trump having previously criticized India’s tariff policies. Additionally, Tulsi Gabbard will attend an intelligence meeting in New Delhi during this period.
United States Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance are expected to visit India later this month, as reported by Politico. This visit marks Vice President Vance’s second official engagement abroad since President Donald Trump took office in January of this year, following trips to Germany and France.
For Usha Vance, this trip will be her inaugural visit to India in her capacity as Second Lady. She has a personal connection to the country, as her parents immigrated from India in 1986, and her ancestral roots can be traced back to Andhra Pradesh. Usha is also distinguished as the first Indian-origin Second Lady of the United States and holds a degree in law from Yale University.
This visit comes amidst ongoing discussions regarding trade tariffs. President Trump has previously labeled India as a “high-tariff nation” and has threatened to impose tariffs on countries that maintain high trade barriers against the United States. While the Trump administration announced India’s agreement to consider tariff reductions, the Indian government has clarified that no formal commitment has yet been made regarding import duty reductions.
Vice President Vance’s prior official engagement included a notable address at the Munich Security Conference, where he addressed critical issues such as illegal migration, the erosion of religious freedoms, and the undermining of electoral processes in Europe. Additionally, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is scheduled to visit India for the annual meeting of intelligence chiefs on March 16-17 in New Delhi.
The upcoming visit of US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance to India marks a significant diplomatic engagement, particularly in the context of trade negotiations. Usha Vance’s personal ties to India and JD Vance’s previous advocacy on international issues add depth to this visit. Nonetheless, the clarity on tariff agreements between the US and India remains uncertain, indicating a complex diplomatic landscape ahead.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
