Vice President JD Vance and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi touted “significant” advancements in trade talks between the U.S and India Monday.
The comments were made during Vance’s diplomatic trip to India with second lady Usha Vance and their family. Vance said the meeting with Modi was a “vital step toward realizing President Trump and Prime Minister Modi’s vision,” and that it “sets a roadmap toward a final deal between our nations.”
“‘Now I believe that our nations have much to offer to one another, and that’s why we come to you as partners, looking to strengthen our relationship,” Vance said during a speech in Jaipur.
“Now we’re not here to preach that you do things any one particular way. Too often in the past, Washington approached Prime Minister Modi with an attitude of preaching,” the vice president added.
President Donald Trump hit India with a 26% “reciprocal” tariff earlier this month, but a week later implemented a 90-day suspension of those tariffs, leaving a 10% baseline tariff.
In February, Trump and Modi agreed to significantly increase bilateral trade between the two countries to $500 billion by 2030. If that is achieved, the trade deal would massively enhance economic ties between the U.S. and India, and could strengthen diplomatic ties, which have previously been murky.
Vance noted he wanted to see more investment from India into American military supplies and more purchasing of American ethanol.
“There is a serious lack of reciprocity in the trade relationship with India,” Vance said, but added, “India’s constructive engagement so far has been welcomed, and I look forward to creating new opportunities for workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs in both countries.”
TRUMP AND MODI HOPE PERSONAL TIES CAN HELP BRIDGE DISAGREEMENTS OVER TARIFFS AND IMMIGRATION
Prior to Vance’s remarks, the White House released a statement saying that progress had been made on a trade deal.
“Vice President Vance and Prime Minister Modi welcomed significant progress in the negotiations for a U.S.-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and formally announced the finalization of the Terms of Reference for the negotiations, laying down a roadmap for further discussions about our shared economic priorities,” the statement read.