Donald Trump Jr visits Jamnagar on Ambani family’s invite, tours Vantara. [Photo: X]
Donald Trump Jr spent Thursday in Gujarat on a special invite from the Ambani family. His visit included a tour of Anant Ambani’s Vantara wildlife centre, prayers at local temples, and an evening of dandiya with the Ambani family. His stop in Jamnagar came after a morning visit to the Taj Mahal, where he called the monument “one of the world's great wonders”.
Trump Jr. arrived in Jamnagar as part of a short trip to India that has attracted attention due to his close ties with the Ambani family and his interest in Indian culture. His presence also marks another high-profile international visit ahead of a major wedding event in Udaipur.
Trump Jr began his day at Vantara, the large wildlife rescue and rehabilitation project created under Anant Ambani’s leadership. Staff members welcomed him and guided him through the enclosures. They briefed him on the centre’s conservation work and long-term plans.
He interacted with the team, watched the animals from a distance, and spent time learning how the project supports animal welfare. The Vantara project has evolved into one of Reliance’s largest philanthropic efforts, and Trump Jr. has shown a strong interest in the initiative.
After completing the Vantara tour, Trump Jr travelled to a set of temples near the campus. He offered prayers at the Ganpati shrine and other nearby sites. Local visitors gathered quietly as he walked through the premises.
The highlight of the evening came at one of the temples when visitors spotted Trump Jr playing dandiya. He joined in with his wife, Vanessa Trump, Anant Ambani, and Radhika Merchant. The group danced with traditional sticks in hand, and several people captured the moment on video.
The scene quickly went viral across social media platforms, showing Trump Jr participating enthusiastically in the Gujarati folk dance.
Earlier in the day, Trump Jr made a brief stop in Agra. He toured the Taj Mahal and described it as “one of the world's great wonders”. The visit added a cultural touch to his fast-paced travel schedule.
He is expected to fly to Udaipur next. He will attend the wedding celebrations of an Indian-American couple, joining other international guests.
Trump Jr’s visit reflects a growing trend of American political families and influencers engaging with Indian culture beyond official diplomatic events. In April, US Vice President JD Vance also visited the Taj Mahal with his family, calling it a “beautiful historic site”. The rising number of such visits hints at a deeper soft-power connection between India and influential figures in the US.
