New Delhi, April 21, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi met U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Monday in New Delhi during the latter’s four-day visit to India, discussing major steps to bolster strategic and economic cooperation between the two countries.
At the heart of the conversation was a long-awaited bilateral trade deal, with both leaders expressing optimism about concluding an agreement by the end of 2025. India has proposed lowering tariffs on over half of its $41.8 billion in U.S. imports from last year to avert new American duties. The plan aims to double trade volumes to $500 billion by 2030.
The leaders also focused on security coordination in the Indo-Pacific region, with particular emphasis on the role of the Quad alliance. A 10-year defense cooperation framework is reportedly in the works and could be signed before the year ends.
Vice President Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha and their children, is also scheduled to visit Jaipur and Agra during the trip, highlighting the cultural dimension of the India-U.S. relationship. His visit is being seen as a precursor to President Donald Trump’s expected visit later this year for the Quad summit.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based global order, promising stronger military, technological, and diplomatic collaboration.
