Vance: U.S.-India Trade Deal Nears, Calls for Deeper Military Ties/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited India to promote a deeper economic and defense partnership. Vance confirmed progress toward a U.S.-India trade agreement and encouraged greater market access. He also called for increased defense cooperation, including the sale of advanced American military equipment.
Vance Champions U.S.-India Trade and Defense: Quick Looks
- Bilateral Trade Talks Advance: Vance confirms both nations finalized terms for trade negotiations.
- $500 Billion Goal: U.S. and India aim to more than double trade volume by 2030.
- Trump’s Tariff Pause: The current 90-day pause offers India time to avoid harsher import taxes.
- Fair Trade Message: Vance stresses the importance of fairness and national interest in trade relationships.
- Defense Cooperation Grows: U.S. seeks to expand military sales and co-production with India.
- Pitch for F-35s: Vance highlights American stealth fighters as key to India’s national defense.
- Geopolitical Alliance: Strengthened ties seen as counterbalance to China in the Indo-Pacific.
- Personal Visit: Vance traveled with his wife Usha, of Indian descent, and their children.
Vance: U.S.-India Trade Deal Nears, Calls for Deeper Military Ties
Deep Look
NEW DELHI — U.S. Vice President JD Vance called for deeper strategic, economic, and military ties with India during his four-day visit, positioning the South Asian power as a central partner in the Trump administration’s efforts to rebalance global trade and counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking at a public event in Jaipur, where he was joined by his wife Usha Vance and their children, the vice president hailed what he described as “substantial progress” in bilateral trade negotiations, including the finalization of the terms of reference that lay the groundwork for an eventual deal.
“I believe there is much that India and America can accomplish together,” Vance said.
Trade Talks in Focus
India and the United States are targeting a doubling of their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, a goal that could transform their economic relationship. Trade talks have taken on added urgency in light of President Donald Trump’s paused tariff regime, which currently includes a 90-day suspension of broad-based import taxes to allow time for strategic negotiations.
During their Monday meeting, Vance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to advance toward a comprehensive trade agreement, potentially offering India a path to sidestep steep U.S. tariffs. Trump’s approach, branded as “America First,” uses trade pressure to force recalibrations with long-term allies and rivals alike.
Message of Partnership and Fairness
Vance used his remarks in India to soothe anxieties over Trump’s protectionist stance, calling for “fairness and shared national interest” in global trade. He stressed that America seeks partnerships, not exploitation, and pushed back against historical perceptions of India as merely a low-cost labor hub.
“The Trump administration seeks trade partners on the basis of fairness and shared national interest,” he said. “We want to build relationships with our foreign partners who respect their workers.”
He added:
“If India and the United States work together successfully, we are going to see a 21st century that is prosperous and peaceful. If we fail, it could be a dark time for all humanity.”
Military Cooperation in Spotlight
With India considered a key counterweight to China, Vance emphasized military collaboration, noting that Washington wants to boost both sales and co-production of U.S. military systems. He pitched the F-35 stealth fighter as a critical tool for India’s defense needs.
“F-35 will help protect your people like never before,” Vance declared.
India’s longstanding reliance on Russian military hardware has been shifting in recent years toward the West. The country now incorporates advanced American aircraft, helicopters, missile systems, and artillery into its forces.
Both countries are also preparing to sign a 10-year defense framework agreement later this year, signaling a growing defense partnership that goes beyond procurement and into operational coordination and technology sharing.
Strategic Context
India’s inclusion in the Quad alliance — alongside the U.S., Japan, and Australia — underscores its importance in U.S. strategic calculations for the Indo-Pacific. Washington has long courted India as a geopolitical and economic ally capable of buffering China’s assertiveness in the region.
Modi and Trump have maintained a strong personal rapport, laying the foundation for today’s negotiations. Modi’s earlier 2025 trip to Washington kickstarted trade and defense negotiations and opened discussions on technology transfers, energy cooperation, and border security.
Cultural and Personal Dimensions
The visit also carried personal resonance. Usha Vance, a practicing Hindu and daughter of Indian immigrants, accompanied the vice president, highlighting familial and cultural ties between the two nations. The Vance family visited Akshardham Temple, the Taj Mahal, and Amer Fort during their stay.
“It’s a joy to be here,” Vance said, noting that the trip was both official and deeply personal.
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