On the third day of his official visit to India, US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Jaipur along with his wife Usha Vance and their three children — Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel. The family is staying at the iconic Rambagh Palace, known for hosting global dignitaries and film stars over the years.
During their time in the Pink City, the Vance family began their sightseeing with a visit to the historic Amber Fort on Tuesday. The 16th-century hilltop fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, had been closed to the public since noon on Monday to facilitate the security arrangements ahead of the high-profile visit.
In keeping with Rajasthani tradition, the Vice President and his family were given a ceremonial welcome featuring two elephants, Chanda and Pushpa, trained at Hathi Gaon near Amber.
The family is also expected to explore other major landmarks of Jaipur, including the Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and City Palace. Later today, Vice President Vance is scheduled to address a gathering at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC), where he will speak on US-India relations. Attendees will include Indian officials, foreign diplomats, academics, and policy analysts.
Vance is also likely to hold meetings with key state leaders, including Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagade. According to a state government official, CM Sharma had reviewed security and hospitality arrangements in a high-level meeting over the weekend to ensure a smooth visit.
The Vice President and his family are expected to travel briefly to Agra on Wednesday morning, returning to Jaipur later the same day for a visit to the City Palace. They will conclude their India trip and depart for the United States early Thursday morning.
Vice President Vance had arrived in India on Monday and began his tour with a meeting in New Delhi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders held extensive discussions on expanding bilateral ties in defence, energy, and emerging technologies. Following the talks, PM Modi hosted the Vance family for dinner at his official residence on Lok Kalyan Marg.Terror Strikes Pahalgam: One Killed, Twelve Injured in Attack on Tourists