PM Modi meets US Intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, discusses India-US ties
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PM Modi, US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard discuss various aspects of India-US friendship
Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first formal meeting upon arriving in Washington, met with Tulsi Gabbard, the newly confirmed US Director of National Intelligence, to discuss India-US relations.
Gabbard, who won the Senate vote for the nation's top intelligence position on Wednesday, was sworn in just hours before her meeting with PM Modi. Following their discussion, PM Modi posted on X: "Congratulated her on her confirmation. Discussed various aspects of the India-USA friendship, of which she's always been a strong votary."
Gabbard’s confirmation was marked by strong opposition and scepticism, but she secured the role with 52 votes to 48. Only one Republican, Senator Mitch McConnell, joined the Democrats in voting against her appointment.
A practicing Hindu, Gabbard has been a long-time supporter of India, a stance that some of her opponents targeted during her confirmation process. Over her 11-year tenure in the US House of Representatives, she co-chaired the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans and served on both the House Intelligence Subcommittee and the Armed Forces Committee.
Once a Vice President of the Democratic Party, Gabbard later switched to the Republican Party and campaigned for former President Donald Trump last year.
Her swearing-in ceremony was administered by Attorney General Pam Bondi, with Trump praising her as "an American of extraordinary courage and patriotism." Highlighting her service record, he noted that she had been deployed three times in the Army National Guard and remarked on her shift from the Democratic Party, saying, "Can you believe that?"
Addressing the nation after taking office, Gabbard acknowledged concerns about the intelligence community's credibility, stating: "Unfortunately, the American people have very little trust in the intelligence community, largely because they've seen the weaponisation and politicisation of an entity that is supposed to be purely focused on ensuring our national security." She pledged to "refocus our intelligence community."
Gabbard has previously met PM Modi on multiple occasions. After a 2019 meeting, she described India as "the world's largest democracy and one of the United States' most important partners in the Asia-Pacific region." She further stressed the bipartisan nature of India-US ties, stating, "It is important that we continue to strengthen this partnership between our two nations that has long had support from both Democrat and Republican leaders."
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Wednesday’s meeting also focused on deepening intelligence collaboration in key areas. In a post on X, the MEA stated: "PM Narendra Modi held a productive meeting with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in Washington DC today. Discussions focused on enhancing intelligence cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and emerging threats."
PM Modi landed in Washington at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday (Thursday, 4 a.m. IST) following his visit to France, where he co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron.
On Thursday, he is set to hold bilateral discussions with former President Trump at the White House.
"Our nations will keep working closely for the benefit of our people and for a better future for our planet," PM Modi posted on X.
With IANS inputs