New Delhi

US Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha and their three children, kicked off their four-day visit to India on Monday, with a visit to the magnificent Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Delhi. The family, who are in India for a diplomatic trip, spent about an hour exploring the sprawling temple complex near the banks of the Yamuna.

After receiving a traditional welcome at the temple, the Vance children, Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel, dressed in Indian attire, became the centre of attention. "Thank you all so much for your hospitality and kindness in welcoming me and my family to this beautiful place. It is a great credit to India that you built a beautiful temple with precision and care. Our kids, in particular, loved it. God bless," the vice president wrote in the temple’s guest book.

The Vance family was taken on a guided tour of the temple, where the Vice President was particularly captivated by the intricately sculpted Gajendra Peeth, a plinth adorned with carvings of elephants symbolising strength and wisdom. "He was shown the entire Akshardham complex and was deeply moved by the experience. He said he felt a sense of peace here," Meera Sondagar, a temple volunteer, told PTI.

The visit was documented on the temple's official social media, which highlighted their exploration of the "majestic art and architecture" and the values of "harmony, family values and timeless wisdom" that the temple embodies. Following their visit to the temple, the Vances posed for photos outside the grand façade – marking a warm start to their Indian journey.

The family’s visit to Delhi came just after their arrival, where they were received at the airport by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Later in the evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to host a private dinner for the Vances following their bilateral talks. Vance’s visit comes as the US and India work on a trade pact to ease tariffs and enhance market access.

Next Stop: Amber Fort in Jaipur

On Tuesday, Vance’s itinerary brought him to Jaipur, where he will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Amber Fort. The Vice President is expected to arrive at 9:30 pm on Monday in a special plane, and then make his way to the iconic Amber Fort at 9 am on Tuesday. His family will join him as he tours the palace, which is famed for its pink sandstone and white marble architecture.

A significant part of the Jaipur visit will involve a speech by Vance at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) at 3 pm, where he will address US-India relations. The visit to Amber Fort will be marked by traditional Rajasthani hospitality, including a ceremonial welcome featuring two elephants from Hathi Gaon. The fort, a popular tourist destination sitting atop a small hill, will be closed to the public for 24 hours from noon on Monday to accommodate security measures for the Vice President’s visit.

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Vance will stay at the Rambagh Palace Hotel, a luxury hotel with historical significance, before continuing to Agra on Wednesday. Jaipur's police commissioner, Biju George Joseph, confirmed that extensive security arrangements have been put in place for the duration of the Vice President's visit.

This marks an exciting beginning to Vance's first visit to India, reinforcing diplomatic ties between the two nations while giving his family a chance to explore India’s cultural and architectural landmarks.

(With PTI inputs)