Akshardham Temple —Vances’ first stop in India
Wearing a red tie that matched his wife’s dress, US Vice-President JD Vance arrived in India on Monday for his first official visit, accompanied by his Indian-origin wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, and their three children — Vivek, Ewan and Mirabel.
He began his four-day trip with a cultural tour of Delhi, starting with a visit to the Akshardham temple. The family offered prayers and explored the temple complex, known for its intricate architecture and spiritual ambiance. The children, dressed in traditional Indian attire, appeared deeply engaged during the visit.
The temple’s official X handle shared images and expressed gratitude, quoting Vance’s message: “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.”
Following the temple visit, the Vance family headed to the Central Cottage Industries Emporium (CCIE) in Janpath, a well-known government-run establishment that promotes Indian handicrafts and handloom products. There, they spent around 40 minutes browsing and shopping for souvenirs and traditional items.
“They bought tea, honey, papier-mâché items, wooden products and pottery. They were short of time, but very humble and soft-spoken. The Second Lady bought whatever the kids liked,” said showroom manager Meetu Wazirani.
Store manager Vinay Agrawal described the visit as a moment of pride. “They explored all sections. Usha Vance really appreciated the art and craftsmanship. Central Cottage Industries is not just a shop—it’s a temple of traditional Indian arts,” he added.
