JD Vance Thanks PM Modi For Warm Hospitality, Says His Son 'Wants to Live in India' | WATCH

US Vice President JD Vance, currently on a four-day visit to India, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday for his generous hospitality, noting that his family-particularly his three children-had developed a special affection for the Indian leader.

Speaking during a gathering on India-US relations at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) in Jaipur, Vance shared a light-hearted anecdote, revealing that his seven-year-old son, Ewan, even said he could live in India.

Photo Credit: PTI

Vance said his family had been genuinely moved by PM Modi's kindness and highlighted the warm bond his children had formed with him.

"My son Ewan is seven years old. He's our first newborn son. 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 recounted.

However, after enduring the Jaipur heat, Vance said Ewan reconsidered.

"But after about 90 minutes in the Jaipur sun, he suggested that maybe we should move to England. So, you take the good with the bad here," Vance joked.

Describing Modi as a "special person", Vance recalled their first meeting at the AI Action Summit in February. He fondly spoke of the time Modi gave a birthday gift to his second son, Vivek, during that visit.

"He managed to figure out that my second son was turning five in Paris. This was a couple of months ago. Amid a huge international policy conference, he took the time to stop by where I was staying and wish Vivek a very happy birthday, and even bring him a gift. Usha and I were genuinely touched by his graciousness," the Vice President said.

Vance said his children-Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel-had built a rapport with both Modi and former US President Donald Trump.

"We have been even more impressed by his warmth since we arrived in India. Our kids really liked and built a rapport with two world leaders-the first is President Trump. He just has a certain energy about them. And PM Modi, he is the exact same thing. They like him a lot. The kids are such good and strong characters," he remarked.

"I also like the PM too and I think it's a great foundation for the future of our relationship," he added.

The visit comes at a pivotal time, as India seeks to secure a trade agreement with the United States-its largest trading partner-before the expiry of a 90-day pause on steep tariffs imposed under the Trump administration.

"Prime Minister Modi is a tough negotiator. He drives a hard bargain," Vance said, drawing laughter from the audience.

He noted that both sides had made meaningful progress on trade discussions and confirmed that the terms of reference for the trade talks had been finalised.

"It sets a roadmap toward a final deal between our nations," he stated.