Washington, DC — Reflecting on her recent visit to India, US Second Lady Usha Vance called it a “once-in-a-lifetime experience,” sharing heartfelt anecdotes about her children’s first encounter with the country and their memorable meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Meeting the Prime Minister was truly very special,” she said during an interaction at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum held in Washington.
Vance, wife of US Vice President JD Vance, described the April trip as an emotional and immersive experience, especially for their children who had never visited India before. “Because of the pandemic and JD’s political journey, our kids had only heard about India—its stories, food, and heritage—but had never seen it. To them, it felt magical,” she said.
During their visit, the Vance family was hosted by PM Modi at his residence on Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi. Recalling the encounter, Usha said, “Our children adore him. When they saw him in Paris, they were sleep-deprived and mistook him for a grandpa. They embraced him, and he warmly welcomed them. He even gifted our five-year-old a birthday present that sealed the bond.”
The children explored the gardens, observed bird feeders, and received peacock feathers from the Prime Minister, with Vance describing the atmosphere as “animated and full of joy.” Their son even joked about moving in after seeing a cart full of mangoes.
Vance shared that her oldest son Ewan was captivated by temple sculptures, middle child Vivek was thrilled to see elephants, camels, and peacocks, and their daughter Mirabel’s favorite moment was riding in an autorickshaw—arranged in a secure area by the Secret Service.
The family also toured iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Amber Fort in Jaipur, and New Delhi’s Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple. They attended a puppet show depicting scenes from the Ramayana, which featured performers from across India, including Andhra Pradesh—Usha Vance’s ancestral home.
“The food, the colors, the people, the stories—it was all unforgettable. This wasn’t just a trip; it was a deep reconnection with roots,” Usha Vance concluded, expressing hope to return and explore more of the country soon.
