Modi, Vance Hail 'Significant Progress' on Trade Agreement

PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA Modi and US vice-president JD Vance welcomed significant progress in talks for an early trade deal between the two countries, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Monday, as New Delhi rushes to avoid US tariffs and boost ties with Donald Trump's administration.

- YP RAJESH, TANVI MEHTA & SHIVAM PATEL

Vance arrived in India earlier on Monday for a largely personal four-day visit to the country with his family, which includes visiting the Taj Mahal and making a speech in the city of Jaipur, US officials said.

The two leaders also noted continued efforts towards enhancing cooperation in energy, defence and strategic technologies, among others, a statement from Modi's office said after talks between them.

They discussed "regional and global issues" and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward, it said, reiterating a standard Indian line about global conflicts without naming any.