Vance Calls for Stronger Defense, Trade Relations With India During Visit

The vice president said he believes there is much more the two nations could accomplish together.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks at the Rajasthan International Center in Jaipur, India, on April 22, 2025. Manish Swarup/ AP Photo

Vice President JD Vance called for stronger relations between the United States and India in the areas of defense and energy on Tuesday, as the two nations work to advance trade negotiations.

Vance, on a four-day trip to India with his family, said he had met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that both sides finalized the terms of reference for their trade negotiations.

The talks build on a goal set by Modi and President Donald Trump to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 following a February meeting at the White House.

Hailing the progress on trade talks as a vital step towards achieving that goal, Vance said he believes there is much more the two nations could accomplish together.

“I believe that if India and the United States work together successfully, we are going to see a 21st century that is prosperous and peaceful,” he said in a speech during an event in Jaipur.

“But I also believe that if we fail to work together successfully, the 21st century could be a very dark time for all of humanity,” he added.

Vance encouraged India to buy more military equipment from the United States, including F-35 fighter jets, noting that the two nations regularly engage in joint military exercises.

The U.S. government also seeks to boost its energy exports to India, Vance said.

“We believe your nation will benefit from American energy exports in expanding those exports. You'll be able to build more, make more, and grow more, but at much lower energy costs,” he said.

‘Significant Progress’

India’s External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that it welcomes “the significant progress in the negotiations for a mutually beneficial India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement focused on the welfare of the people of the two countries.”

The ministry stated that Modi and Vance discussed efforts to enhance U.S.-India cooperation in energy, defense, and strategic technologies. The meeting also covered regional and global issues of mutual interest, it stated.

Vance’s first visit to New Delhi came amid the backdrop of Trump’s partially paused tariff program against most countries, including India. Earlier this month, Trump announced a 90-day pause during which imports from most countries would face a baseline 10 percent tax, giving time to hold talks and possibly structure broader deals. The trade negotiations are especially urgent for India and could help it avoid U.S. tariffs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.