'Our kids loved it': US VP JD Vance writes in Akshardham's guest book
JD Vance with wife Usha Vance and kids at Akshardham Temple in Delhi.
US vice president J D Vance, accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha and their three children, commenced their four-day
India visit
on Monday at the
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple
situated near the Yamuna riverbank. Their itinerary includes visits to Jaipur and Agra, with the family spending approximately an hour at the temple complex.
Their children - Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel - wore
traditional Indian clothing
.
"Thank you all so much for your hospitality and kindness in welcoming me and my family to this beautiful place. It is a great credit to India that you built a beautiful temple with precision and care. Our kids, in particular, loved it. God bless," wrote the vice president in the temple's guest book.
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The temple shared information about the visit on X. "The
US Vice President JD Vance
, Second Lady Usha Vance and their children visited Swaminarayan Akshardham in Delhi 'their first stop in India' experiencing its majestic art, architecture and timeless values of faith, family and harmony."
"The Vance family explored the mandir's majestic art and architecture, experiencing India's heritage and cultural depth and they appreciated the messages of harmony, family values, and timeless wisdom embodied in the Akshardham campus," it continued.
The family participated in a photo session with media crews outside the temple's grand entrance.
A temple priest informed PTI, "They were given a traditional welcome after which they had 'darshan'. A carved wooden elephant, a model of the Delhi Akshardham Temple and children's books were gifted to the family."
Temple volunteer Meera Sondagar noted that the vice president showed particular interest in the Gajendra Peeth, an elaborately carved elephant plinth representing strength and wisdom. "He was shown the entire Akshardham complex and was deeply moved by the experience. He said he felt a sense of peace here," she stated.
The temple, inaugurated in 2005 and dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, is a prominent tourist destination in the capital. Swaminarayan, considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, established the Swaminarayan faith and revitalised Hindu ideals in 18th century India, establishing spiritual guidelines and conduct codes according to BAPS Swaminarayan's website.
Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty visited during their India tour last year.
The Vances received a warm welcome upon arrival in Delhi, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw greeting them at the airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to host a private dinner for the Vances following bilateral discussions later in the evening.
This inaugural India visit by Vance follows US President Donald Trump's recent implementation and subsequent suspension of extensive tariffs affecting approximately 60 countries, including India. Both nations are currently negotiating a bilateral trade agreement focusing on tariff relief and enhanced market access.
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