U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance arrived in New Delhi on Monday, beginning a four-day official visit during which he is scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss strengthening economic and political ties.

The visit comes as India seeks to secure a trade agreement with the U.S. to avoid new tariffs, taking advantage of a three-month suspension period announced by President Donald Trump on April 9 regarding potential tariff hikes.

Modi and Vance are expected to review progress on the bilateral agenda agreed upon during Modi’s February visit to Washington, covering key areas such as trade, defense, and technology.

The United States is India’s largest trading partner, with $129 billion in bilateral trade recorded in 2024 and a $45.7 billion surplus in favor of India, according to U.S. government trade data.

Observers view the visit as strategically significant amid shifting global dynamics and see it as a signal of the Trump administration’s commitment to reinforcing partnerships in Asia, particularly in response to China’s growing influence.