Usha Vance, the Second Lady of the United States and wife of Vice President JD Vance, offered a heartfelt and vivid recounting of her family’s recent visit to India during her remarks at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington, DC. A lawyer of Indian origin with roots in Andhra Pradesh, Vance described the trip as a deeply meaningful experience, especially for their three children—Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel—who were visiting India for the first time.
She highlighted a particularly memorable moment during their visit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence. Her young son, enamored by the hospitality and especially the cart full of mangoes, enthusiastically told PM Modi that he could imagine living there. The anecdote drew laughter from the audience, illustrating the warmth of the encounter and the impression it left on her children.
Usha emphasized that the meeting with PM Modi extended beyond diplomatic formalities. It was personal, genuine, and deeply impactful for the entire Vance family. “It was a real opportunity to cement that personal relationship,” she said, referencing the rapport between JD Vance and the Indian Prime Minister.
One of the standout cultural moments was a traditional puppet show that delighted the children. Featuring elements from different Indian states, including performances inspired by the Ramayana and regional humor with animal characters, the show captivated the Vance children so much that they tried to recreate it at home using construction paper.
She also recounted a touching first impression her children had of PM Modi, whom they immediately saw as a “grandfather figure,” drawn to his white hair and beard. Modi further endeared himself to them by giving their five-year-old a birthday gift, making the encounter unforgettable. “They just sort of ran up. They were hugging him,” she said. “He was just incredibly kind and generous to them.”
For Usha Vance, the visit marked a profound milestone—not just diplomatically but personally. “They’d grown up just knowing so much about this country—the stories, the food, the relationships—but they had never actually seen it,” she noted, calling the trip “the experience of a lifetime.”
She concluded with a warm promise to return. While this trip focused on North India, Usha hinted that the family hopes to explore southern India next, particularly Andhra Pradesh, where her roots lie.
