I have an Indian, Pakistani in my life: Vance's joke after Iran talks goes viral

US Vice President JD Vance on Sunday sparked buzz online when he jokingly revealed his two "favourite" Indian and Pakistani people – his wife, Usha Vance, and Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir – on the sidelines of the US-Iran talks in Switzerland.

Speaking at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock after discussions with Iranian officials on a permanent peace deal, Vance said, "Since Field Marshal Asim Munir welcomed us with the (Pakistani) Prime Minister (Shehbaz Sharif) in Islamabad, I have joked that I have two very, very important people in my life. An Indian and a Pakistani. The Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir."

He made the remarks in the presence of Sharif and Munir, who also attended the peace talks, which were mediated by Pakistan and Qatar.

Vance went on to praise Munir, saying he had spoken to the Pakistani Army Chief more than almost anyone else over the past three months.

"I have probably talked to Munir more than I have talked to anyone else over the last three months. We would not have been here without his statesmanship and military leadership. He has shown himself to be a great diplomat," he said.

Vance's remark quickly gained traction online, particularly because of the US Vice President's frequent references to his wife, Usha Vance, whose parents immigrated to the US from Andhra Pradesh.

The Vice President has often shared anecdotes about their 12-year interfaith marriage. Recently, during a podcast appearance, Vance recalled telling his mother that Usha was Indian. According to him, his mother responded by asking, "Which tribe?" Vance said the question reflected unfamiliarity with different cultures rather than any disrespect toward Usha's heritage.

Vance and Usha met in 2010 while studying at Yale Law School and married in 2014 in an interfaith ceremony that included Hindu traditions. The couple have three children and a fourth child is expected soon.

Their marriage has occasionally drawn public attention. Last year, Vance sparked controversy when he said he hoped his Hindu wife might one day convert to Christianity. Vance himself converted to Catholicism in 2019.

The comment drew criticism from some Indian-Americans, who viewed it as insensitive toward Hindu beliefs. Usha later clarified that her husband's remarks were being misinterpreted.

"It's not like he's proselytising to me every day. I am not Catholic, and I am not intending to convert or anything like that," she had said.

- Ends