The US vice-president JD Vance is set to visit India for discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a bilateral trade agreement, as tensions flare over US tariffs and immigration issues. Vance, accompanied by his family, will use the trip to negotiate a fast-tracked trade pact despite farmer protests and unrest.
India was recently hit with 26% tariffs by former President Donald Trump, and a 90-day pause has provided temporary relief, but there remains concern over further economic instabilities. The Indian capital has been working to finalize the initial phase of the trade deal this autumn, with India already cutting tariffs on some US goods.
The US remains India’s top trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $190 billion. In Modi’s last visit to Washington, both leaders pledged to more than double this figure, aiming for a “mega partnership.” However, the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), the nation’s largest and oldest farmers’ union, is planning nationwide protests in opposition to the trade deal, fearing it could devastate farm incomes, particularly in the dairy sector.
Apart from the trade discussions, tensions have also risen over student and H-1B visa issues. The Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has highlighted increased visa revocations for international students, with half of these affecting Indian nationals. Meanwhile, Vance’s “America First” foreign policy stance, which criticized allies overseas, precedes his visit.
Despite the challenges, the Indian government remains hopeful that the visit will strengthen ties, with the ministry of external affairs committed to discussing all relevant issues. The visit will also have a personal aspect, as Vance’s wife Usha, who was born in the US to Indian immigrants, will tour royal palaces and the Taj Mahal.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/21/jd-vance-heads-to-delhi-for-talks-on-fast-tracking-trade-pact
