Usha Vance Recalls India Trip: “I Could Live Here,” Her Son Told Modi

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – “They just love him. They ran up and hugged him.” That’s how Usha Vance, the Second Lady of the United States, described her children’s heartwarming encounter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Recalling their visit to Modi’s residence during a recent family trip to India, she said her children instantly placed the Prime Minister in the “grandfather category.” “He really cemented his status by giving our five-year-old a birthday present that day,” she added with a smile. “He was just incredibly kind and generous to them.”

Vance shared these personal reflections during a fireside chat at the eighth edition of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit, held in Washington, DC, on June 2. The event brought together top leaders from government, business, and the community to discuss the evolving ties between the two nations.

Calling the visit “the trip of a lifetime,” Vance spoke about how it was the first time her children had been to India, a country they’d heard so much about through family stories, traditions, and food. “It was just sort of mind-blowing from their perspective,” she said. “And for me and JD, it could not have been more special.”

She detailed their experiences traveling through North India, seeing iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal at sunrise, enjoying Indian cuisine, and even watching a traditional puppet show with segments from the Ramayana and performances from across India — including Andhra Pradesh, where her family is originally from. “It was a huge hit,” she said. “My kids have been trying to recreate it at home with construction paper, which is going about as well as you can imagine.”

Each of her children had a unique highlight from the journey. Her oldest son, Ewan, was captivated by the intricate carvings at a temple. Her middle child, Vivek, delighted in meeting animals like elephants, camels, and peacocks. And her daughter’s favorite part? “Riding in an auto-rickshaw,” said Vance. “The Secret Service was very generous and let us drive in an enclosed area for a few minutes. It was a lot of fun.”

She also recounted a humorous moment at the Prime Minister’s residence: “Our son was so taken by the cart of mangoes available that he announced he could maybe live there and started making his plans,” she said.

Beyond the personal stories, Vance reflected on the deeper significance of the India-US relationship. “It is a very personal relationship because I have family in India and many relatives here in the US. I grew up visiting India and those connections have always been important to me,” she said.

She acknowledged that the relationship between the two countries has “ebbed and flowed at times,” but emphasized that this is a moment of “great opportunity” for collaboration. “If JD were here, he would say the same thing,” she noted, referring to Vice President JD Vance.

Vance was also struck by the warmth and admiration expressed by everyday Indians during their visit. “So many people came up to us to say how much they love the US,” she said. “They spoke about visiting family, coming just for pleasure, and their hopes for a strong partnership.”

At the summit, USISPF presented the 2025 Global Leadership Awards to IBM Chairman Arvind Krishna, Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, and Hitachi Executive Chairman Toshiaki Higashihara for their contributions to strengthening the US-India-Japan economic partnership.

As Vance summed up her family’s India experience, she made it clear: this trip wasn’t just a milestone — it was a bridge. “We’re looking forward to our next trip,” she said. “Especially to the parts of the country where my family is from.”