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Hans India
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Hans India
Modi falls in grandfather category of Vance kids
Washington: Second Lady of the United States Usha Vance described her visit to India in April 'as the trip of a lifetime' for the family and said her three young children have put Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 'grandfather category'. Vice President J D Vance undertook his first official visit to India in April and was accompanied by Usha Vance and their three young children Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel. 'It really was the trip of a lifetime for us,' Usha Vance said, recalling the visit to India during a fireside chat here on Monday at the eighth edition of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit. The Vances were in India from April 21-24 and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi before travelling to Jaipur and Agra. Usha Vance emphasised that meeting the PM Modi 'was really very special.' 'We'd actually had a chance to meet him before,' she said adding that when her kids, who were sleep-deprived when travelling in Paris, saw the Prime Minister, they 'saw an Indian man with a white beard and white hair, and they just put him in the grandfather category immediately. So they are very into him. 'They just love him. And he really cemented his status by giving our five-year-old a birthday present that day,' she said. The Vances and PM Modi had met in France in February during the AI Action Summit. She recalled that when the Vance family visited PM Modi's residence in Delhi, her kids ran up to him and were hugging him. 'He was just incredibly kind and generous to them.' She noted that the conversation between her husband and the Prime Minister was 'very productive' and 'it was a real opportunity for us to kind of cement that personal relationship that they have, which I think is only to the good.' Vance further said that her children had never been to India before because of the pandemic and her husband's political schedules but they have grown up knowing 'so much about this country, the stories, the food, the relationships with grandparents and friends, but they had never actually seen it. So it was just sort of mind-blowing from their perspective.' Noting that for her and her husband, 'it just could not have been any more special' as the family had the opportunity to see some of the greatest sights in north India. 'We're looking forward to our next trip and trying to get to the parts of the country where my family is from as well,' she said, referring to Andhra Pradesh where her parents Krish Chilukuri and Lakshmi Chilukuri are from. 'It just was sort of one hit after another,' Vance said as she spoke fondly of the 'most incredible food', peacocks, seeing the Taj Mahal, puppet shows, with puppeteering from all over the country, including from Andhra Pradesh, where her family is from. 'There were bits from the Ramayana. There were sort of comedic bits with animals. And it was a huge hit.' Vance said that when the family was at the Prime Minister's residence, her son was 'just so taken by everything and then taken by the entire cart of mangoes that was available for him to eat that he announced to the Prime Minister that he thought he could maybe live there and started making his plans…He just loved it.' She said that her children talk about the visit to India 'all the time. 'They've been all over the place, and they've had wonderful opportunities to see the world, but this was really special to them,' she said adding that her oldest son Ewan was really taken by the sculptures in the temple that he visited and thought it was incredible craftsmanship. Vivek, the Vances' middle child, was very excited to meet elephants, peacocks, camels and 'just any animal that he could kind of get his hands on.' She said that her daughter Mirabel really enjoyed her time in an auto rickshaw. 'That was maybe the highlight for her. The Secret Service was very generous and allowed us to kind of drive in an enclosed area for a few minutes. So, we had a lot of fun with that.'
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
US commerce secretary expects India trade deal soon
Donald Trump has set a postponed July 9 deadline for countries to avoid broad tariffs, aiming to fix what he calls US unfairness. (Reuters pic) WASHINGTON : US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick on Monday voiced optimism for a trade deal soon with India to avoid tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump. 'You should expect a deal between the US and India in the not too distant future,' he told the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, which promotes relations between the two countries, calling himself 'very optimistic.' Trump has set a delayed deadline of July 9 for countries to avoid sweeping tariffs, as he seeks to shake up the global economy to correct what he says is unfairness to the US. Lutnick, a strong advocate of tariffs, said he was a 'great fan' of India – but voiced longstanding concern about the emerging economy's use of tariffs. On tariff negotiations with India, 'bringing them down to a level that is reasonable and appropriate so we can be great trading partners with each other, I think is absolutely on the table,' Lutnick said. 'There were certain things that the Indian government did that generally rubbed the US the wrong way. For instance, they generally buy military gear from Russia,' he said. But he said that Trump believed in raising concerns and 'the Indian government is addressing it specifically and directly.'
The Print
3 days ago
- Business
- The Print
Trump Gold Card going to be incredibly successful in India: Commerce Secretary Lutnick
He was referring to the USD 5 million Trump Gold Card, on the lines of a Green Card, that will lead to permanent residency for foreigners, allowing them to live and work in the US. '…I think, the ordinary path of immigration for America is changing. The Trump Card is coming out. I expect the Trump Card will create really an enormous opportunity for people to have the ability to come to America,' Lutnick said in his keynote address at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit 2025 here on Monday. Washington, Jun 3 (PTI) Trump Gold Card, a 5 million dollar pathway to permanent residency in the US, will be incredibly successful and well received among Indians who want to and have the means to participate in the American economy, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said. Responding to a question on Indian talent in the US against the backdrop of ongoing visa and immigration discussions, Lutnick said the success of Indian entrepreneurs in America, individuals of Indian nationality leading and running so many of the great companies of America 'because they're fantastic entrepreneurs, fantastic business people, smart, thoughtful, educated in every way'. On Trump Gold Card, Lutnick said, 'We are going to be incredibly successful in India. So, when people ask me, 'When are you coming to India?' I'd say, 'When I launch the Trump Card, I promise you I'm coming to India'. He said it is wonderful opportunity for people to be part of two economies and people will be able to come to America, participate in the US. 'Here's the key. You can become like a green card holder, the equivalent of it, it's the Trump Gold Card. You can do it that way and pay global tax, or you can keep everything the way it is and just pay US tax on US assets, and you pay nothing on your global assets and no inheritance tax, and none of that kind of stuff either. 'And that's what we're going to call it an international entrepreneur. That's a special category, and I think, it will be very, very well received amongst the great people of India who want to participate and have the means to participate in America, he said. America wants to bring advanced manufacturing back to the US, Lutnick said. 'That's a key industrial platform for us, to bring back domestic manufacturing and reshoring in America,' he said, adding that there are an enormous number of product categories that 'we are going to be delighted for India to produce'. He said that there will be a trade deal that says certain kinds of industries would be great for India to produce. 'And in fact, there are enormous numbers of industries that we'd really like to go to India. What happens is, you create the sort of trade deal that puts India in a unique position because it will have a special relationship with the United States and certain industries.' 'It will have a better tariff relationship than most other countries in the world, which means India will be the beneficiary of that kind of products,' he said, adding that some will need to be reshored to America but they'll be replaced with incredible opportunity for India, which has one of the most extraordinary economies. On whether he sees opportunities for collaboration between India and the US in areas, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and emerging tech, Lutnick said, 'Our idea is that we want to embrace our allies and our friends in a way that is much more open than the Biden administration, not even on the same hemisphere'. 'So, we love our allies. We want our allies to participate in the AI revolution with us. And if India is interested, which of course it is, and it wants to build giant data centres and be a part of that model, we are ready, willing and look forward to embracing India as a partner and friend in that path'. PTI YAS BAL BAL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
India's Russia ties, Brics role 'rubs US the wrong way': US Commerce Secy
US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said that past Indian policies, including defence purchases from Russia and participation in Brics, 'rubbed the United States the wrong way", but added that the two countries are now moving towards a more constructive and strategic relationship. 'There were certain things that the Indian government did that generally rubbed the United States the wrong way,' Lutnick said during his keynote address at the eighth edition of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit on Monday. 'For instance, you generally buy your military gear from Russia. That's a way to kind of get under the skin of America… Being a part of Brics, which is, oh, let's move to not support the dollar and dollar hegemony — that's not really the way to make friends and influence people in America.' India-Russia defence partnership India and Russia have worked together on developing and producing defence equipment, including projects like the BrahMos cruise missile and AK-203 rifles. Under India's Make-in-India push, both countries are increasing joint manufacturing to support and maintain Russian-made arms in India. Their cooperation is managed through the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC). Trump's criticism of Brics US President Donald Trump has been vocal about his opposition to Brics, particularly its efforts to reduce reliance on the US dollar. He has repeatedly warned Brics nations against creating an alternative global reserve currency, even threatening 100-150 per cent tariffs on member states if they pursued such a move. Trump has described Brics as 'dead' following his tariff threats, claiming that the bloc has gone silent since his warnings. India is one of the founding members of the intergovernmental organisation Brics, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE. Trump's complex relationship Russia Trump's relationship with Russia has been complex. While he has criticised Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine, he has also expressed interest in large-scale trade with Russia once the war ends, calling its economic potential 'unlimited'. Trump has also signaled a geopolitical shift, suggesting that the US could align more closely with Russia to counter China. However, experts argue that Putin is unlikely to abandon his partnership with China in favour of Trump's unpredictable diplomacy. Lutnick praises India for addressing US concerns Lutnick, however, praised the Indian government for acknowledging and addressing these sensitive issues. 'The President (Trump) calls that out directly and specifically, and the Indian government is addressing it specifically. And that's how you move on to a really positive place. Put it on the table, address it straight on, resolve it straight on and get to a really good place. And I think that's where we are,' he said. Last month, the US approved a possible $131 million arms sale to India to boost its maritime surveillance capabilities in the Indo-Pacific. The deal is part of growing defence cooperation between the two countries as strategic tensions in the region rise. During his visit to India, US Vice President JD Vance also urged New Delhi to increase its purchases of American military equipment.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
US Commerce Secretary Lutnick flags Russian arms, India's BRICS membership as irritants
India's decision to purchase Russian arms and to pursue a closer BRICS partnership have rubbed America the wrong way, argued the country's Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Tuesday. 'There were certain things that the Indian government did that generally rubbed the United States the wrong way. For instance, you generally buy your military gear from Russia. That's a way to kind of get under the skin of America if you're going to buy your armaments from Russia. I think India is starting to move towards buying military equipment from the United States, which then goes a long way. And these kind of things - just creating that relationship being a part of BRICS - which is, oh, let's move to not support the dollar and dollar hegemony. That's not really the way to make friends and influence people in America,' said Lutnick in Washington DC speaking at an event hosted by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum. Lutnick added that President Trump had chosen to bring up these concerns in the past. 'The President calls that out directly and specifically, and the Indian government is addressing it specifically. And that's how you move on to a really positive place. Put it on the table, address it straight on, resolve it straight on and get to a really good place. And I think that's where we are,' he said. Also Read:India-US trade pact likely in 'not-too-distant future': US Commerce Secretary Lutnick previously urged India to purchase more defence equipment from the United States instead of traditional suppliers like France. However, he also pointed to strong progress on trade talks between New Delhi and Washington. Lutnick outlined some of the contours of a potential trade deal with America seeking 'reasonable' access to the Indian market and a reduction of the trade deficit. In return, India will seek special access in certain key markets. 'India has put the right person on the other side of the table. We have managed,I think, to be in a very, very good place. You should expect a deal between the United States and India in the not too distant future because we've found a place that really works for both countries,' Lutnick told his audience. Lutnick - who previously helmed finance firm Cantor Fitzgerald - also declared that America would seek to bring advanced manufacturing back to the United States. This comes just weeks after US President Donald Trump urged Apple CEO Tim Cook to expand production in America instead of pursuing expansion in India. 'There are an enormous number of product categories that we are going to be delighted for India to produce,' Lutnick added. He went on to say that the US-India trade deal will allow New Delhi a better tariff relationship with Washington, which will benefit Indian products in key sectors.
