US Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha and their children Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel, began their cultural exploration of Jaipur on Monday. Their journey kicked off with a visit to the iconic Amer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled atop a hill, about 11 km from the heart of Rajasthan’s capital.
#WATCH | Rajasthan: Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, along with Second Lady Usha Vance and their children at Jaipur's Amber Fort. pic.twitter.com/1bdZtGzYgD
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025
At the fort, “Vance, his wife Usha Vance and their three children Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel received a traditional Rajasthani welcome with performances by folk artists and dancers.” Adding a unique charm to the event was a ceremonial salute by two elephants, Chanda and Pushpa, specially trained at Hathi Gaon near Amber for the occasion.
The family enjoyed the vibrant performances before touring the sprawling fort, admired for its intricate architecture crafted from pale yellow and pink sandstone, along with white marble. To facilitate this high-profile visit, the 16th-century monument remained closed to the general public for 24 hours.
During their stay in Jaipur, the Vance family is residing at the luxurious Rambagh Palace, a property known for hosting numerous dignitaries over the years. Their itinerary also includes visits to Jaipur’s famous landmarks such as the Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar, and interactions with top state officials, including Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagade.
Later in the day, Vance is scheduled to address an audience at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC), where he will speak on US-India relations in the presence of diplomats, scholars, and policy experts.
The Vice President’s visit to India reflects deepening diplomatic ties between the two nations. Upon his arrival in New Delhi on Monday, Vance held comprehensive discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on key areas including defence collaboration, energy partnerships, and emerging technologies.
The family is expected to continue their tour with a visit to Agra on Wednesday, before heading back to the United States early on April 24.
