JD Vance performs in Jaipur, India, on 22 April. Photo: Kenny Holston/Reuters
In a speech at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur, US Vice President J.D. Vance said that the 21st century could either be the most successful period in human history or a “very dark time” – it all depends on the level of cooperation between the United States and India.
“We have already lived through a quarter of the 21st century. There are 75 years left. And I believe that the partnership between the United States and India will determine the fate of this century,” Vance said, according to The Guardian.
Between global light and darkness: what’s at stake
In his speech, Vance outlined two possible scenarios:
- successful cooperation between the US and India → economic growth, stability, peace;
- failure of strategic cooperation → a new era of global decline, chaos and instability.
“If we fail to work together effectively, this century could be a very dark period for all of human civilisation,” he warned.
Tariffs, China and the new economic architecture
J.D. Vance’s visit to India comes amid an escalating tariff war between the US and China. Even India, despite the warm personal relationship between Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been hit with 26% of US duties – temporarily suspended for 90 days.
Vance stated it bluntly: Trump plans to completely “rebalance” the US global economic ties, which will have serious consequences for both America and its partners.
The US wants to become India’s main energy supplier
Vance noted that the United States is seeking to increase energy exports to the Indian market and criticised previous administrations, which, in his words, were “driven by fear of the future”, limiting such initiatives.
India as a strategic pillar of the United States in the post-China world
Vance’s speech is part of Trump’s broader strategy to strengthen economic and security cooperation with India, which is increasingly seen as an alternative to China in Asia.
“The US-India partnership is the key to a peaceful and prosperous century. Together, we can make the 21st century the best in human history,” Vance concluded.
