By RAJESH ROY and SHEIKH SAALIQ, Related Press
NEW DELHI (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday known as for enhanced engagement with India and mentioned that the South Asian nation can purchase extra protection tools and vitality from the U.S. and permit Washington better entry to its market, lending momentum to an anticipated bilateral commerce deal.
Vance, who’s on a four-day go to to India, mentioned that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi made progress on commerce talks throughout their discussions on Monday, and confirmed that either side had finalized the phrases of reference for the commerce negotiation — an important step in the direction of setting the highway map for the ultimate settlement.
India and the U.S. hope to seal a bilateral commerce settlement this 12 months and have set an formidable goal of greater than doubling their bilateral commerce to $500 billion by 2030. If achieved, the commerce deal may considerably improve financial ties between each international locations and probably strengthen diplomatic ties as properly.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks on the Rajasthan Worldwide Middle in Jaipur, India, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photograph/Manish Swarup)
“I believe there is much that India and America can accomplish together,” Vance mentioned at an occasion within the western metropolis of Jaipur, the place he, his spouse Usha Vance and their three kids had been on a sightseeing tour.
Vance’s first go to to New Delhi got here amid the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s partially-paused tariff program towards most international locations, together with India. Earlier this month, Trump introduced a 90-day pause through which imports from most international locations would face a baseline 10% tax in order that there was time to carry talks and presumably construction broader offers.
The commerce negotiations are particularly pressing for India and will assist New Delhi keep away from sharp U.S. tariffs. In the meantime, the Trump administration has portrayed its technique of tariffs as forcing negotiations that would restrict the attain and affect of China, the world’s dominant producer and New Delhi’s major rival within the area.
On the occasion, Vance sought to assuage fears over Trump’s tariff choices and mentioned his administration was looking for to rebalance international commerce in order that the U.S., with buddies like India, can construct a greater future. He mentioned that commerce relations have to be based mostly on equity.
“I come here with a simple message,” Vance mentioned. The Trump administration “seeks trade partners on the basis of fairness and shared national interest. We want to build relationships with our foreign partners who respect their workers.”
U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks on the Rajasthan Worldwide Centre in Jaipur, India, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Occasions through AP, Pool)
Vance mentioned that he was in India to strengthen ties between each nations, and criticized earlier governments for New Delhi as an inexpensive supply of labor.
“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 mentioned, including that if this didn’t occur, it might imply a “dark time for all humanity.”
Washington has lengthy sought to develop a deeper partnership with New Delhi, which is seen as a bulwark towards China. Modi has established a very good working relationship with Trump, and the 2 leaders are prone to additional increase cooperation between their international locations.
Modi was additionally among the many first leaders to go to the U.S. and maintain talks with Trump that kickstarted a negotiation course of to reduce the doable fallout of Trump’s tariffs. The 2 leaders additionally mentioned they deliberate to develop their protection partnership.
India is a detailed companion of the U.S. and is a part of the Quad, which is made up of the U.S., India, Japan and Australia, and is seen as a counterbalance to China’s growth within the area. It’s also a serious protection companion of the U.S., a standing solely loved by among the closest allies of Washington.
In step with Trump’s push for supplying extra army tools to India, Vance mentioned Washington was looking for better collaboration with New Delhi for the sale of superior army gear, in addition to coproduction. He additionally pitched Washington’s fifth-generation stealth fighter to India.
“F-35 will help protect your people like never before,” he mentioned.
Over the previous a number of a long time, India has been largely depending on Russian weapons, fighters and army tools, however has regularly began diversifying its buy basket from international locations such because the U.S., France and the U.Ok.
In recent times, India has embedded superior American jets, helicopters, missiles and different tools into its armed forces and the 2 international locations have introduced plans to signal a 10-year framework later this 12 months to additional strengthen the protection partnership.
