AGRA, India (Diya TV) — Vice President JD Vance concluded his four-day official visit to India on Wednesday with a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, and their three children—Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel. The visit to the 17th-century marble mausoleum marked the final stop in a high-profile diplomatic trip focused on strengthening US-India ties in defense, trade, and strategic technologies.
The Vance family’s visit to the Taj Mahal came amid tight security, following a drill conducted by local personnel on Tuesday in preparation for their arrival, according to Press Trust of India (PTI). After taking in the world wonder, the family returned to Jaipur in the evening and is scheduled to depart India on Thursday morning.
Vance’s visit, his first official trip to India as Vice President, began on Monday, April 21, when he arrived at Delhi’s Palam Airport following a tour of Italy. He was welcomed with a ceremonial Guard of Honour and received by Indian Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The Vice President, along with his family, has been staying at Jaipur’s luxurious Rambagh Palace in the Grand Presidential Suite, which costs up to ₹16 lakh per night, PTI also reported. A dedicated medical team was stationed with the delegation to ensure their well-being throughout the stay.
During his visit, Vance expressed condolences to the victims of a terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which occurred on the second day of his tour. “Our hearts go out to the families affected by this senseless violence,” he said in a statement.
On Tuesday, the Vances toured Jaipur’s historic Amer Fort—also known as Amber Fort—before visiting the City Palace. That same day, Vance addressed a gathering at the Rajasthan International Centre, where he emphasized the importance of building a future-oriented US-India relationship rooted in mutual respect.
“The Trump administration is working to rebalance global trade so that America, along with trusted partners like India, can build a future worth having for all our people,” he said. He also aimed at previous US administrations, criticizing what he described as a condescending tone in past dealings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Washington has often approached Modi with preachiness or even condescension,” Vance said, underscoring a shift in tone under the current administration.
The Vice President met with Prime Minister Modi on the first day of his trip to discuss enhanced cooperation in areas such as energy, defense, and strategic technologies. The leaders also welcomed progress in the negotiations for a comprehensive India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement. According to Vance, the two countries have finalized the terms of reference for the agreement, setting a clear path toward the ambitious goal of more than doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
Vance’s visit is widely seen as part of a broader US strategy to deepen ties with India amid shifting geopolitical dynamics
