Daijiworld Media Network- Agra

Agra, Apr 23: US Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife Usha Vance and their children Ivan, Vivek, and Mirabel, arrived in Agra on Wednesday as part of his official visit to India. The Vance family was warmly received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath upon arrival in the city.

The highlight of their visit was a tour of the world-renowned Taj Mahal. CM Yogi took to social media platform X to welcome the dignitaries, posting, “A warm welcome to Hon'ble US Vice President J.D. Vance and his family to Uttar Pradesh, the sacred heartland of India, renowned for its timeless devotion, vibrant culture, and spiritual legacy.”

Tight security arrangements were made across Agra in anticipation of the high-profile visit, with heightened vigilance along the convoy’s route and around tourist landmarks.

Vice President Vance had earlier begun his India tour in New Delhi with a spiritual visit to Akshardham Temple, followed by a key bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Later, the Vance family flew to Jaipur, where they explored the historic Amer Fort in an open jeep and experienced Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage through traditional performances and local hospitality.

While addressing a gathering at the Rajasthan International Centre, Vance heaped praise on Prime Minister Modi, stating, “I told Prime Minister Modi last night -- he has approval ratings that would make me jealous.” He also described the Indian leader as “a very tough negotiator” who “fights fiercely for India’s commercial interests.”

Emphasising the deepening Indo-US ties, Vance said, “The US and India will move forward together through mutual cooperation across many sectors.” He underlined the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region and called the India-US strategic relationship a key force in shaping the 21st century.

Vance highlighted three pillars to define future collaboration between the two nations — national defence, infrastructure development, and technological innovation. Citing former US President Donald Trump’s global economic vision, he added, “President Trump wants to rebalance global trade so that the US, along with allies like India, can build a better future.”

The Vice President’s visit has been seen as a significant moment in bilateral relations, with both countries poised to explore enhanced cooperation across critical domains such as defence, infrastructure, and innovation.