India, US vow closer ties as Modi, Vance discuss trade, defence and technology

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Vice President JD Vance held high-level discussions in the Capital on Monday, with a major focus on deepening the strategic relationship between India and the United States.

- SIMONTINI BHATTACHARJEE

NEW DELHI:

The talks, in the context of a series of recent diplomatic interactions, mirrored the increased momentum in bilateral relations, especially in trade, defence, energy, and emerging technologies.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the discussions centred on building upon the outcomes of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Washington DC in January this year, where he held a constructive dialogue with US President Donald Trump.

That visit laid the foundation for a collaborative framework aligning Trump's "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) vision with India's ambitious "Viksit Bharat 2047" developmental roadmap.

The leaders also reflected on the follow-up talks conducted in Paris in February, where they observed consistent progress in all strategic areas.

Welcoming Vice President Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, their children, and senior American officials to India, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the need for continued dialogue and engagement to further enhance bilateral relations.

The visit is being seen as a major diplomatic milestone, affirming the mutual commitment of both countries to a future-oriented and comprehensive partnership.