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US Vice President JD Vance, currently on a four-day visit to India, arrived in Jaipur with his family on Tuesday. Their first stop in the Pink City was the historic Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During their stay, the Vance family is expected to visit iconic landmarks like Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar, and also meet with senior state dignitaries, including the Chief Minister and Governor of Rajasthan.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Second Lady Usha Vance opened up about her family, heritage, and their deepening connection with India. She shared heartfelt stories about her three children—Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel—and their fascination with Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. “They’ve never been to India before,” she said, “but they’ve read Indian history and know who would have been here historically.”
Usha Vance, whose roots are in Andhra Pradesh, spoke warmly about the family’s love for Indian food. “They could eat Indian food all the time,” she said, noting that despite maintaining a vegetarian household, Vice President Vance is an “experimental cook,” who enjoys preparing Indian dishes like chana masala and lamb-based meals. “My mother and grandmother are excellent cooks, and my father makes very good dosa,” she added, revealing they source ingredients from Indian grocery stores.
Reflecting on their cultural values, Usha highlighted the significance of their wedding, which combined both Indian and American traditions. Though they married in Kentucky, the ceremony featured a traditional Hindu ritual. “It was important for me, because my parents had one,” she said.
A memorable highlight of their India trip so far was a puppet show hosted at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, showcasing a story from the Ramayana. The traditional Andhra Pradesh leather shadow puppets made a lasting impression on the children. “It blew their minds!” she recalled with a smile.
This visit also marks JD Vance’s first time in India, which Usha described as “very special.” “It’s a country that’s young, vibrant, and growing. I think he’s been impressed by what he’s read about India—its culture and its trajectory,” she added.
The family was welcomed in true Rajasthani style at Amber Fort, where two elephants—Chanda and Pushpa, trained at Hathi Gaon—greeted them. “Visiting Amer Fort was spectacular,” Usha said. “We were impressed by the salute, and the children couldn’t stop talking about the dancing!”
Calling it the “trip of a lifetime,” Usha said, “I’ve been to India before, but sharing this experience with my nuclear family is something I’ve always wanted.”
The Vance family is scheduled to travel to Agra on Wednesday morning and will return to Jaipur later in the day for a visit to the City Palace. They will depart for the United States early Thursday morning.
JD Vance, who arrived in India on Monday, met with Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi, where the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on strengthening cooperation in defense, energy, and emerging technologies. Following the talks, the Vance family joined PM Modi for a dinner at his residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
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