2 weeks Ago By Moneycontrol
Ahead of the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting US Vice-President JD Vance, the Congress on Sunday raised several pointed questions about India’s position on contentious issues such as deportations of Indian citizens, the dismantling of the WTO-based global trade framework, and the US’ withdrawal from key international agreements. Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took to X to outline the concerns the opposition party hopes will be raised during Modi’s talks with Vance, who is on a four-day visit to India beginning Monday. “Will the prime minister convey India’s concern at the manner in which Indian citizens are being deported and Indian students made to live in an atmosphere of fear in the US after their parents spent their life savings to support their children’s education in America?” Ramesh wrote.
He also questioned whether Modi would highlight the issue of the “complete destruction of the multilateral rules-based trading system anchored in the WTO, from which India has gained greatly.” Ramesh further asked, “Will the prime minister convey India’s concern at US withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement, which is so very essential for managing global warming that threatens the livelihoods of crores of our people?” The Congress leader also flagged the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), describing it as a move detrimental to global health research and cooperation. “Will the prime minister convey India’s concern at the US withdrawal from the WHO, which plays an important role in global public health research and management?” he posted.
He concluded by asking whether Modi would assert India's intention to ensure that future trade liberalisation “does not adversely impact Indian farmers, industry, and MSMEs.” Vice-President JD Vance, who is accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha and their three children — Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel — is scheduled to arrive at the Palam airbase at 10 am on Monday. He will hold wide-ranging discussions with Modi in the evening, following which the prime minister will host a dinner in his honour.
This is Vance’s first official visit to India. Besides Delhi, the family will also travel to Jaipur and Agra. The meeting comes at a time when New Delhi and Washington are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement, following recent moves by US President Donald Trump to impose, and later pause, a sweeping tariff regime targeting around 60 countries, including India.
The Vance family will be welcomed at the airport by a senior Union Cabinet minister..
