US Vice President JD Vance to visit Taj Mahal, security tightened in Agra

Security tightened in Agra ahead of US Vice President's visit.

US Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra on Wednesday, prompting heightened security measures across the city, according to police officials.

DCP City Sonam Kumar stated that “the security liaisoning meeting of different stakeholders has been done. Apart from CISF, Archaeological Department, Indian Air Force and police, meetings were held with agencies. Duty arrangements will be made on the route. Verification of all the artists and school children who will participate in the programme will be done.” The city is being decorated ahead of the Vice President’s visit.

Vance and his family arrived in Delhi on Tuesday morning for a four-day visit, just weeks after President Trump imposed — and subsequently paused — sweeping tariffs against around 60 countries, including India.

Trade and Defence Talks with PM Modi

India and the US announced on Monday that they had made "significant progress" in negotiating a mutually beneficial bilateral trade pact. The statement followed wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Vance, which focused on strengthening cooperation in defence, energy, and strategic technologies.

The discussions took place shortly after Vance, accompanied by Indian-origin Second Lady Usha Chilukuri and their three children — sons Ewan and Vivek, and daughter Mirabel — landed in Delhi. The visit, although largely personal, comes amid rising global tensions over the US’s evolving tariff policy.

The White House noted that both leaders welcomed “significant progress” on the trade pact and officially finalised the “terms of reference” for negotiations, creating a roadmap to align the two nations’ economic priorities.

Later in the evening, Modi hosted the Vance family for dinner at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The gathering was attended by several Union Cabinet ministers and American officials.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Modi conveyed his warm regards to President Donald Trump and expressed that he looked forward to hosting the US President in India later this year.