Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], April 23 : US Vice President JD Vance defended President Donald Trump's approach to global trade during a visit to India, stating that the goal is to rebalance trade and create a better future for both nations.
Vance emphasised the potential for the US and India to work together, citing increased military exercises and collaboration on cutting-edge technologies.
Speaking at an event in Jaipur on Tuesday, he stated, "Critics have attacked my president, President Trump, for starting a trade war in an effort to bring back the jobs of the past, but nothing could be further from the truth. He seeks to rebalance global trade so that America, with friends like India, can build a future worth having for all of our people together."
Vance announced that the US and India have finalised the terms of reference for trade negotiations, a vital step towards realising President Trump's and Prime Minister Modi's vision of more than doubling bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by the end of the decade.
"When President Trump and Prime Minister Modi announced in February that our countries aim to more than double our bilateral trade, to USD 500 billion by the end of the decade, I know that both of them meant it," he added.
Both governments are working on a trade agreement built on shared priorities, including creating new jobs, building durable supply chains, and achieving prosperity for workers.
"Both of our governments are hard at work on a trade agreement built on shared priorities, like creating new jobs, building durable supply chains, and achieving prosperity for our workers. In our meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Modi and I made very good progress on all of those points," he said.
"And we are especially excited to formally announce that America and India have officially finalized the terms of reference for the trade negotiation. I think this is a vital step...I believe this is a vital step toward realizing President Trump's and Prime Minister Modi's vision because it sets a roadmap toward a final deal between our nations," he added.
Further, Vance highlighted the shared interests between the US and India in the Indo-Pacific region, noting that India will host the QUAD leaders' summit this fall.
Vance affirmed, "It's fitting that India this year is hosting the QUAD leaders' summit this fall. Our interests in a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific are in full alignment."
The US and India conduct more military exercises together than with any other nation, demonstrating their strong partnership.
"I believe there is much that America and India can accomplish together. I want to talk about a few areas of collaboration today, such as how India and the United States can work together. America does more military exercises with India than we do with any other nation on Earth. Second, to build great things, and finally, to innovate the cutting-edge technologies both our countries will need in the years to come," he added.
Earlier in the day, the Vance family, who are on a four-day visit to India, reached the Amber Fort in the morning, having departed from the Rambagh Palace, where they were staying.
The Vance family received a warm and vibrant welcome at Jaipur's Amber Fort. They were greeted with a traditional Rajasthani dance performance.
A day earlier, JD Vance visited the Central Cottage Industries Emporium in New Delhi along with his family.
The US Vice President and his family also visited the Akshardham Temple in the national capital on Monday morning, shortly after their arrival. Their sons wore kurta-pyjamas, while their daughter was dressed in an Anarkali-style outfit paired with an embroidered jacket.
Vance and his family landed at Palam Airport on Monday, where they were welcomed by Union Minister for Railways and Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw. Vance was also given a ceremonial Guard of Honour, marking the start of his first official visit to India.