Ohio’s U.S. Senator JD Vance touched down in India on Monday. He will spend four days here in the District building personal connections with Congressional leaders and engaging in official community-building activities. Vance, his wife Usha and their three children look forward to developing a closer relationship with their Indian heritage. This journey is reminiscent of his parents’ own migration story from Andhra Pradesh.
This is why, on their arrival, the children expressed their cultural connections by wearing beautiful Indian clothing. The boys were both in simple brown kurta-pyjamas, with three-year-old Mirabel in a bright-colored lehenga always twirling about, colorful just like her family’s heritage.
On day two, on Tuesday, the family toured the spectacular Amer Fort in Jaipur. They really loved talking about the grandeur of this monumental historic landmark. This visit isn’t purely for pleasure. Vance’s upcoming major U.S.-India relations speech in Jaipur will be crucial.
The family is now looking forward to visiting India’s most iconic landmark, the Taj Mahal in Agra on Wednesday. The following day, they will all return stateside.
The Journey to Justice’s annual trip has an official component. Vance does spend the bulk of his time in India enjoying personal exploration and family bonding. This project aligns perfectly with Vance and Usha’s desire to help their children understand and appreciate their Indian roots.
Vance’s family journey is enriched by their shared history, as both his parents and Usha’s parents emigrated from Andhra Pradesh. This backdrop certainly heightens their desire for the visit. It’s a testament to their dedication to instilling a sense of cultural awareness in their children.
And with luck, Secretary Vance will be back for this year’s Quad summit in Delhi later this fall. This demonstrates his deep interest and commitment to engage with India across a wide range of fronts.