On the second day of their India visit, US Vice President JD Vance and his family checked into Jaipur’s historic Rambagh Palace Hotel before heading to the majestic Amber fort.
They were greeted with a royal welcome, with folk dancers, decorated elephants, and red carpets setting the tone. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bajanlal Sharma received the Vice President at the fort for a courtesy meeting steeped in tradition.
Speaking at an event in Jaipur, Vance highlighted the potential of Indo-US ties. “I believe that if India and the United States work together successfully, we are going to see a 21st century that is prosperous and peaceful,” he said.
Vance also made a pitch for deeper defence trade. “We want your nation to buy more of our military equipment, which of course we believe is the best in class,” he remarked.
Also read: LIVE: Vances receive traditional Rajasthani welcome at Jaipur’s Amber Fort
Delhi diplomacy and temple visit
Vance’s high-profile diplomatic and cultural visit began on Monday (April 21). Accompanied by his wife Usha Chilukuri Vance and their three children—Ivan, Vivek, and Mirabel—Vance is using this visit to reinforce the growing India-US partnership. His schedule includes meetings with top Indian leaders and stops at iconic heritage sites.
Before heading west, the Vance family began their India tour in New Delhi with a meeting with Prime Minister Modi. A video released by the PMO showed Modi warmly greeting the Vance family and even playing with the children, gifting them peacock feathers as a gesture of goodwill.
Before that, the family visited the Akshardham temple in Delhi, embracing India’s cultural and spiritual richness. It marked a softer touch to an otherwise diplomatically significant visit.
Also read: ‘PM Modi a tough negotiator’, ‘my children like him’: 8 things JD Vance said in Jaipur
Taj Mahal and Trump’s shadow
Over the next two days, the Vances are expected to visit Agra and witness a sunrise at the iconic Taj Mahal—one of the final family moments of the tour. But geopolitics is never too far behind.
The visit sets the stage for former US President Donald Trump’s upcoming trip to India for the Quad Summit, an influential alliance of India, the US, Japan, and Australia. Vance’s remarks signal the United States’ intent to deepen bilateral defence and strategic ties ahead of the summit.
“The India-US partnership will play a big role in shaping the future of the 21st century,” Vance said during his address in Jaipur. “But I also believe that if we fail to work together successfully, the 21st century could be a very dark time for all of humanity.”
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