“Meeting Modi was a special experience”: Usha Vance on India trip

For Usha Vance, Second Lady of the United States, it was more than a diplomatic courtesy or a ceremonial tour. Her journey to India in April 2025 was, by her own admission, “the trip of a lifetime”.

In a conversation at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington D.C., Vance spoke with familial warmth, recollecting her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “very special”. She was accompanying her husband, Vice President JD Vance, along with their two children. The visit apparently left a distinct imprint not just on bilateral relations but also on the Vances’ sense of place and belonging.

“It really was the trip of a lifetime for us,” she said. “My children had never been to India, what with the pandemic and JD’s entry into politics and all that. And so they’d grown up just knowing so much about this country—the stories, the food, the relationships with grandparents and friends—but they had never actually seen it.”

Vance, born Usha Chilukuri to Indian immigrant parents from Andhra Pradesh, described how the visit became, in part, a return. A crossing of lines drawn years ago—between origin and destination, memory and present. For her children, it was a first look at a land they had heard of in stories and seen only in photos. They were captivated by the vibrant culture, the majestic architecture, and the warmth of the people.

A highlight of their visit was the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence. Vance recalled how her children, upon seeing Modi, immediately placed him in the “grandfather category”. “They are very into him. They just love him,” Usha Vance said. Modi had already endeared himself to the children by giving the Vances’ five-year-old son a birthday present during a meeting in Paris.

The Vance family’s itinerary included visits to iconic sites such as the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort, and the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple. They also experienced a traditional puppet show featuring scenes from the Ramayana, which was a hit with the children. “There were bits from the Ramayana, there were comedic bits with animals, and it was a huge hit. My kids have been trying to recreate it at home with construction paper,” Usha Vance said.

Throughout their journey, the children got many opportunities to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of India. At the Prime Minister’s residence, they explored the lawns, observed the bird feeders, and were presented with peacock feathers by Modi—another gesture that left a lasting impression.

While the personal connections forged during this trip underscored the importance of cultural diplomacy, Vice President Vance meanwhile engaged in productive discussions with Prime Minister Modi, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties.

As they departed, memories of mangoes, puppet shows, and peacocks accompanied them. For Usha Vance and her family, the journey to India was not just a visit; it was a homecoming, a bridge between worlds, and a story that continues to unfold.

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