What awaits JD Vance in Jaipur: Elephant welcome, monument visits, meet-and-greet
During his visit to Amber Palace, he will receive a traditional welcome, featuring two elephants named Chanda and Pushpa, at the palace’s Surajpol Gate, officials said.
Vance will leave Jaipur on April 23 and head to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. (File)
During a three-day visit to Jaipur next week, US Vice President J D Vance is expected to visit several popular monuments in the Pink City and meet dignitaries, including the Chief Minister and Governor of Rajasthan, officials said.
According to government sources, Vance is expected to arrive in Jaipur with wife Usha Bala Chilukuri Vance and their children at 9.30 pm on April 21. He will stay at the luxurious Rambagh Palace Hotel, which has hosted several dignitaries and celebrities in the past, including Hollywood and Bollywood actors.
“Vance will visit the Amber Palace, City Palace, and Jantar Mantar monuments in Jaipur on April 22. The visits will begin at 9 am. At 2 pm, he will have lunch with his family and government dignitaries at Rajasthan International Centre. In the evening, he will meet Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Governor Haribhau Bagade,” a government official said.
During his visit to Amber Palace, he will receive a traditional welcome, featuring two elephants named Chanda and Pushpa, at the palace’s Surajpol Gate, officials said.
Ballu Khan, president of the Hathi Gaon Vikas Samiti – a committee responsible for the welfare of elephants at the Hathi Gaon sanctuary – said that both elephants will be adorned with silver howdahs and jewellery, and will shower the guests with flower petals.
Vance will leave Jaipur on April 23 and head to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.
In 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron also visited Jaipur and was accompanied by Prime Minister Modi. Former US President Bill Clinton has also visited Jaipur during his tenure.
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Security has been heightened in Jaipur, especially at the monuments and other areas where Vance will visit. All security agencies have been put on high alert, officials said.
The White House confirmed Vance’s visit to Jaipur two days ago. A large aircraft of the US Army has reached Jaipur ahead of the Vice President’s visit.
Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions.
Expertise and Experience
Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public.
Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas:
Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight.
Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women.
Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use.
Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More
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