NEW DELHI, India: US Vice President JD Vance met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, as India bids for an early trade deal to stave off punishing tariffs.
Modi’s office said that there had been “significant progress in the negotiations” with the two countries negotiating the first tranche of a trade deal.
New Delhi hopes to secure relief within the 90-day pause on tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump this month.
Vance’s office similarly reported “significant progress” in the talks and said the two men had established a roadmap for how economic discussions would proceed.
His four-day visit comes two months after Modi held talks at the White House with Trump, who unveiled 26 percent tariffs on India.
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Vance’s visit comes during an escalating trade war between the United States and China. India’s neighbour and rival faces US levies of up to 145 percent on many products.
Beijing has responded with duties of 125 percent on US goods. New Delhi has reacted cautiously so far.
India’s Department of Commerce said after the tariffs were announced, it was “carefully examining the implications”, adding it was “also studying the opportunities that may arise”.
The two leaders were also expected to discuss China, seen as a challenger in different domains by both governments. The two democracies are also a part of the “Quad” group with Australia and Japan.
Modi said he “looks forward” to a visit by Trump to India later this year, New Delhi said in a statement, with a potential Quad summit slated.
Vance, 40, arrived in New Delhi a day after meeting Pope Francis in the Vatican.
The vice president said his “heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him” after the Vatican announced the death of the pope on Monday. – Agencies
