Agra, April 23
United States Vice President JD Vance will visit Agra today as part of his four-day official tour of India, marking the final stop on a visit that has underscored the growing partnership between New Delhi and Washington.
Earlier, Vice President Vance defended President Donald Trump's approach to global trade while speaking in Jaipur, stressing the administration's goal to rebalance trade and lay the groundwork for a more equitable future.
At the event, he emphasised the potential for deeper cooperation between the two nations, particularly in defence and technology. "Critics have attacked my president, President Trump, for starting a trade war in an effort to bring back the jobs of the past, but nothing could be further from the truth," Vance said.
"He seeks to rebalance global trade so that America, with friends like India, can build a future worth having for all of our people together," he said
Highlighting recent developments, Vance announced that the two nations had formally finalised the terms of reference for a future trade agreement. This move, he stated, lays a clear roadmap toward achieving the shared goal of more than doubling bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by the end of the decade.
"When President Trump and Prime Minister Modi announced in February that our countries aim to more than double our bilateral trade... I know that both of them meant it," he affirmed.
He further outlined the pillars of the proposed agreement--job creation, supply chain resilience, and economic prosperity for both countries. "Both of our governments are hard at work on a trade agreement built on shared priorities," Vance said, noting good progress in discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Touching upon regional security, Vance applauded India's upcoming role as host of the QUAD summit this fall, calling it "fitting" and a sign of aligned interests in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. He also pointed out the unmatched frequency of joint military exercises between the two nations.
In addition to his diplomatic engagements, Vance and his family have participated in cultural visits to the Akshardham Temple in Delhi, Jaipur's Amber Fort, and the Central Cottage Industries Emporium, showcasing a blend of official and personal appreciation for India.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Exciting to see such high-level engagement between our countries! The $500 billion trade target seems ambitious but achievable with both leaders committed. Hope Agra gives VP Vance a warm welcome 🤗
While I appreciate the diplomatic efforts, I'm concerned about the emphasis on "rebalancing trade." Hope this doesn't mean more protectionist policies that could hurt Indian exports. The details of the agreement will be crucial.
So glad they visited cultural sites too! Diplomacy isn't just about meetings - understanding each other's heritage builds real connections. The Amber Fort is stunning, hope they enjoyed it!
The QUAD summit hosting is a big deal for India's global standing. Good to see Vance acknowledge that. Stronger India-US ties benefit the entire Indo-Pacific region. 🇮🇳ðŸ¤ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸
I wonder if they'll visit the Taj Mahal? No trip to Agra is complete without seeing it! Also curious about the defense tech cooperation mentioned - could mean great opportunities for our engineers.
The joint military exercises part is most interesting to me. With China's growing assertiveness, stronger India-US defense ties are more important than ever. Hope this visit leads to concrete outcomes.
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