JD Vance Taj Mahal tour today; US VP calls India ‘a friend’ while defending Donald Trump’s trade policy

US Vice President JD Vance visited Agra on Wednesday, where he is dropped to see the Taj Mahal with his family. This will be the final stop in his ongoing four-day tour of India.

Vance is travelling with his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, and their three children — Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel. The family is expected to spend around three hours at the Taj Mahal before heading back to Jaipur, where they are currently staying.

From Jaipur to Agra

The Vance family is staying at Jaipur’s Rambagh Palace, known for its grandeur. Reports say they are booked in the hotel’s most expensive suite — the Grand Presidential Suite — which can cost up to ?16 lakh per night. A medical team has also been assigned for their stay.

On Tuesday, the family visited Amber Fort in Jaipur and is expected to explore the City Palace after returning from Agra. Ahead of their Taj Mahal visit, security arrangements in Agra have been tightened.

US VP JD Vance with his wife in India | Credit: X

As per city DCP, preparations have involved several agencies including the CISF, Archaeological Department, Indian Air Force, and the police. “The security liaisoning meeting of different stakeholders has been done,” they confirmed. The entire route and all personnel involved in the programme — including performers and school children — are being verified and cleared.

Talks on trade and Trump’s vision

During his stop in Jaipur, JD Vance spoke about strengthening India-US ties, particularly in trade and technology. He addressed criticism of President Donald Trump’s trade policies and said, “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 stressed that Trump’s goal is to rebalance global trade with key partners like India, saying, “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 also mentioned that terms for a future trade agreement have been finalised and that the two countries are now working toward doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by the end of the decade.

Departure on April 24

JD Vance’s India visit is scheduled to end on April 24. He and his family will depart early in the morning, shortly after their visit to the Taj Mahal wraps up the official tour.