Washington, D.C., April 16 — In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. Vice President JD Vance will embark on a high-profile international tour from April 18 to 24, with scheduled stops in Italy and India. This marks Vance’s first official visit to India since assuming the Vice Presidency and reflects the Biden administration’s renewed focus on strengthening global alliances through direct engagement.
Accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance — the first Indian-American second lady — and their three children, Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel, the Vice President’s travel itinerary balances geopolitical priorities with cultural diplomacy. Usha Vance, a daughter of Indian immigrants, adds a personal dimension to the family’s visit to India.
India Visit: Strengthening Strategic Ties and Trade Talks
Vice President Vance’s India leg will begin later this week and include stops in New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. His key engagement will be a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 21, where both leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of strategic and economic issues.
According to a release from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the visit will also involve trade-related discussions. A senior Indian official told Bloomberg News that New Delhi is optimistic about concluding the pending tariff negotiations with the U.S. within the next six weeks. The talks aim to resolve long-standing trade differences that have impacted industries on both sides.
The Vance family will also take part in cultural programs and heritage tours across India, a move that signals a softer touch in diplomacy while also highlighting the personal connection Usha Vance shares with the country.
Italy Visit: Rome Meetings to Focus on EU Trade Relief
Before heading to India, the Vice President will make a brief yet critical stop in Rome. There, he is scheduled to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, followed by an audience with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. These meetings are strategically aligned with the U.S. administration’s broader trade goals.
Prime Minister Meloni’s meeting with Vance follows her own trip to Washington, where she met with former President Donald Trump at the White House. Her primary agenda: lobbying for tariff relief for the European Union, as the Trump administration’s earlier tariff hikes continue to impact European exports.
While in Rome, Vance will also participate in Easter-related ceremonies at the Vatican — a move aimed at reinforcing shared religious and cultural values.
Trade Talks at the Heart of the Visit
This dual-country trip comes at a time when global economic partnerships are being recalibrated. Former President Trump had imposed high tariffs on several major trading partners, including the EU and India, which had disrupted markets and raised tensions. Although those levies have since been reduced to a 10% rate as a temporary measure, negotiations are ongoing to finalize longer-term agreements.
For India and Italy — both key U.S. allies — Vance’s visit offers an opportunity to gain clarity on the Biden administration’s trade stance and potentially secure favorable terms in the evolving global economic landscape.
A Family Affair with a Diplomatic Core
The presence of the second family, including children, marks a shift in traditional state visits — blending formal engagements with moments of cultural outreach. The inclusion of Jaipur and Agra in the India itinerary, for instance, highlights an intent to connect with
