With JD Vance, the 50th Vice President of the United States, embarking on his maiden official visit to India, eyes are turning towards the Second Lady, Usha Vance, as well. Beautiful, accomplished, and with a deep connections in Indian as well as American cultures, Usha’s presence in this high-level visit is generating significant interest beyond diplomatic norms.
JD Vance, his Indian-origin wife Usha Vance, and their three children — Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel — are traveling to India from April 21 to 24. The four-day visit covers Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, and is intended to further deepen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
California to White House: Journey of Usha Vance
Usha Chilukuri was born to Indian immigrants, she grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Usha has a sterling academic background — she graduated in History from Yale University and then went on to take a Master of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge. She came back to Yale to read law and it was there that she met JD Vance. The two of them formed a strong connection and eventually got married in 2014, starting a life together that today includes public service at its highest level.
Professionally, Usha Vance is an esteemed legal mind in the United States. She clerked for some of the most distinguished jurists, including U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his service on the U.S. Court of Appeals. While opting to remain away from the political limelight, Usha’s legal mind has made her a powerful figure behind the scenes.
Indian Heritage and Cultural Impact
Usha’s heritage has given a very personal dimension to the Vance family’s trip to India. She is the daughter of Radhakrishna “Krish” Chilukuri, a mechanical engineer and alumnus of IIT Madras, and Lakshmi Chilukuri, a molecular biologist. Her parents hail from Vadluru village in Andhra Pradesh. Her father went on to become a lecturer at San Diego State University, while her mother works at the University of San Diego.
Usha’s Indian connection reaches into her personal life. The couple’s wedding included a Hindu ceremony, and JD Vance has publicly recognized how his wife’s cultural heritage has influenced his worldview. He attributes his own love of Hindu philosophy and adoption of vegetarianism to the influence of Usha.
A Symbol of Cross-Cultural Diplomacy
Usha’s presence in India lends emotional and cultural heft to Vice President Vance’s diplomatic mission. As she tours legendary sites such as the Akshardham Temple in Delhi and participates in high-level meetings, her identity connects the two countries.
Her tale is a smooth mix of East and West — and it’s winning hearts in both.
