US Vice President JD Vance is set to begin his visit to India on Monday with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The primary focus of this meeting will be to discuss a potential bilateral trade deal, as India continues to emerge as a significant economic powerhouse.
The timing of Vance’s visit is particularly noteworthy, as it coincides with the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, India’s neighboring nation. This visit is considered crucial by President Donald Trump’s administration, and there is speculation that it may also be an opportunity for India to host a summit of Quad leaders, which includes India, Australia, Japan, and the US.
India’s foreign ministry has stated that the visit will offer a chance for both nations to assess the progress of their bilateral relations and discuss regional as well as international issues of mutual concern. The talks between Vance and Modi are expected to cover the progress of the bilateral agenda set out in February during Modi’s visit to the US. This agenda includes discussions on ensuring fairness in bilateral trade and expanding the defense partnership between the two countries.
The United States is India’s largest trading partner. In 2024, the bilateral trade between the countries reached $129 billion, with India having a trade surplus of $45.7 billion over the US. Although Modi and Trump have a good rapport, the US President has repeatedly accused India of being a “tariff abuser” and “tariff king.” Trump introduced a 26% tariff on Indian exports to the US, which has since been paused, providing temporary relief to Indian exporters.
India is hopeful that Vance’s visit could lead to a trade agreement within the 90-day pause period. Ultimately, this visit could be seen as an opportunity for India to further strengthen its ties with the US and potentially host President Trump later this year during a Quad summit.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/india-s-modi-to-host-jd-vance-for-trade-talks/a-72295648?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
