In a lighthearted and heartwarming moment during his India visit, US Vice President JD Vance shared that his seven-year-old son, Ewan, was so impressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s hospitality and dinner that he told his father, “Dad, I think I can live in India.”
The remark came during Vance’s speech at a discussion on India-US relations at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) in Jaipur. Currently on a four-day official visit, Vance praised the warmth and kindness extended to his family, especially his three young children.
“My son Ewan is seven years old. Yesterday, we had dinner at the Prime Minister’s house. The food was so good, and he was so kind to our three children. Ewan came to me afterwards and said, ‘Dad, I think I can live in India’,” Vance shared.
However, he jokingly added that after spending 90 minutes under the Jaipur sun during a visit to Amber Fort, Ewan reconsidered and suggested they move to England instead.
Modi’s Personal Touch Leaves a Lasting Impression
Vance fondly recalled previous interactions with Modi, including a thoughtful gesture earlier this year at the AI Action Summit. During the summit, Modi personally wished Vance’s second son, Vivek, a happy birthday and even brought him a gift.
“Amid a major international policy event, PM Modi took time to stop by where I was staying and wish my son a happy birthday. Usha and I were genuinely touched,” Vance said.
Building Rapport with World Leaders
The Vice President also noted how his children quickly connected with PM Modi and former US President Donald Trump, saying both leaders shared a dynamic presence that resonated with kids.
“Our kids really liked and built a rapport with two world leaders – President Trump and Prime Minister Modi. They just have a certain energy about them,” he added.
Trade Talks on a Positive Track
Vance also touched on the primary objective of his visit: trade negotiations. With India and the US aiming for a swift trade agreement amid existing tariff pauses, he described PM Modi as a “tough negotiator” who “drives a hard bargain”—a comment that drew laughter from the audience.
He confirmed that both sides had finalised the terms of reference for the upcoming trade deal, describing it as a roadmap toward deeper economic cooperation.
“We made good progress. It sets a roadmap toward a final deal between our nations,” Vance concluded.
