Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance Scheduled for India Visit

US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance will visit India this month as trade negotiations between the US and India intensify. Their visit follows recent discussions aimed at reducing tariffs and enhancing market access, alongside a target to significantly increase bilateral trade by 2030. Union ministers have indicated ongoing efforts towards a Bilateral Trade Agreement expected by 2025, focusing particularly on collaboration regarding automobiles and other sectors.

United States Vice President JD Vance and Indian-origin Second Lady Usha Vance are scheduled to visit India this month, as reported by American news portal POLITICO, which cited sources familiar with the situation. Usha Vance, whose family hails from Andhra Pradesh, is the daughter of a molecular biologist and a mechanical engineer.

This upcoming visit occurs in the context of ongoing trade negotiations between India and the United States. In recent remarks, US President Donald Trump pointed out high tariffs from several countries, including India, and announced his plan for reciprocal tariffs set to take effect on April 2.

Union Minister Jitin Prasada indicated in Parliament that the main objectives of the trade talks include increasing mutual market access and reducing both tariff and non-tariff barriers. This announcement coincided with a visit by a delegation led by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, aimed at advancing discussions on a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).

India is currently conducting inter-ministerial discussions focusing on reducing high tariffs, particularly on automobiles, to foster mutual economic benefits. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump also met on February 13, agreeing to initiate negotiations for a multi-sector BTA anticipated to be finalized by the fall of 2025, with a target to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 under “Mission 500.”

The upcoming visit of Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance to India reflects the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and India, particularly regarding trade issues. As both nations work towards reducing tariffs and enhancing market access, the discussions may pave the way for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement by 2025. The emphasis on the ambitious target of doubling bilateral trade underlines the importance of economic collaboration between the United States and India.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com