New Delhi – US vice-president JD Vance arrived in India on Monday for a four-day visit while New Delhi is looking to avoid American prices, negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with Washington and strengthening links with the Trump administration.
Vance will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the first day of his Largely personal visit. The two leaders should have discussions on the bilateral links described in February when Modi met President Trump in Washington.
The United States is the largest trading partner in India and the two countries are now taking negotiations to seal a bilateral trade agreement this year.
Shortly after his arrival in New Delhi, a word came that Pope Francis was dead. Vance had met Francis in Rome on Easter Sunday.
Vance published its condolences on XBy saying: “My heart goes to millions of Christians from around the world who loved it. I was happy to see him yesterday, although he was obviously very sick. But I will always remember him for the homily below that he gave at the very beginning of Covid. It was really pretty beautiful. May God rested his soul. “
Modi, whose country has nearly 30 million Christians who represent 2.3% of the population, says that Francis will still be memories “as a compassion, humility and spiritual courage lighthouse through millions around the world.
“From his young age, he devoted himself to realizing the ideals of the Lord Christ. He served with diligence the poor and the oppressed. For those who suffered, he ignited a spirit of hope,” said Modi.
The Indian leader posted a photo of him with the Pope and said that he was “very inspired by his commitment to inclusive and complete development”.
Kenny Holston / Getty images
They set an more ambitious objective than to double their bilateral trade at $ 500 billion by 2030. If that was concluded, the trade agreement could considerably improve economic ties between the two countries and potentially strengthen diplomatic links.
Vance’s first visit to New Delhi is involved in the backdrop of Trump pricing program now caused Against most countries, including India. He also coincides with a rapid trade war between Washington and Beijing, which is the main rival in New Delhi in the region.
Modi and Vance should “examine the progress of bilateral relations” and “exchange opinions on regional and global developments in mutual interest,” the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last week.
“We are very positive that the visit will give our bilateral links a boost,” said spokesman Randir Jaiswal.
Vance was greeted by a classical Indian dance performance after arriving at New Delhi Palam airport on Monday, after his visit to Rome. He is accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, a Hindu who practiced whose parents are from India, as well as their children and officials from the American administration.
The couple and their three young children visited the Hindu temple of Akshardham in New Delhi after their arrival and should visit the emblematic monument of Taj Mahal and the Amer Fort of the 12th century – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – during their trip.
Why the American links of India are important
India is a partner close to the United States and an important strategic ally in the fight against the growing influence of China in the Indo-Pacific region.
It is also part of “The Quad”, which is made up of the United States, India, Japan and Australia and is considered a counterweight to the expansion of China in the region. Trump is expected to attend a top of quad chiefs in India later this year.
Modi has established a good working relationship With Mr. Trump during his first term And the two leaders are likely to further stimulate cooperation between their country.
He was among the first leaders to visit the United States and to meet with Mr. Trump after his return to the White House. During his visit, Modi praised a “mega partnership” with the United States and launched a negotiation process to minimize the possible repercussions of Mr. Trump.
The two leaders also declared that they were planning to develop their defense partnership, India reporting compliance with the Trump administration’s requests, saying that it would buy more oil, energy and defense equipment in the United States
In any case, Trump has targeted India with a 26%tax, part of which has since been interrupted. However, he continued to call India an “pricing aggressor” and “pricing king”.
Commercial negotiations are particularly urgent for New Delhi because they could be hardly affected by the reciprocal prices of Mr. Trump, in particular in agriculture, processed foods, car components, high -end machines, medical equipment and jewelry.