Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence (DNI), emphasized the growing strength of US-India relations during her visit to New Delhi. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Gabbard highlighted the close ties between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump, underscoring their shared commitment to defeating Islamic terrorism and ensuring global security. “The ties between the US and India go very far back,” Gabbard stated. “In Trump's second term, we are continuing to see the strengthening of this partnership, centered around peace, prosperity, freedom, and security.” Gabbard also reflected on her recent meeting with Prime Minister Modi in the US, where discussions focused on terrorism, cybersecurity, and other emerging security threats. She described the meeting as pivotal in setting the stage for a stronger India-US partnership.
Russia-Ukraine War
On the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Gabbard praised President Trump for his diplomatic approach. "President Trump is seeing this conflict with very clear eyes," she said, adding that Trump was committed to holding a productive conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to advance peace talks. Gabbard criticized former President Joe Biden for failing to initiate peace efforts during his administration. “There was no effort at peace or dialogue with Putin,” she stated, emphasizing Trump’s proactive approach to resolving the war.
Houthi Threat in the Red Sea
Addressing the Houthi threat in the Red Sea, Gabbard acknowledged that the Iran-backed group had been attacking key shipping routes for a significant period. She criticized the Biden administration for failing to prevent these threats effectively. Highlighting Trump’s stance, Gabbard pointed out that Trump had re-listed the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization after Biden’s decision to remove them from the list. “Our country and another (referring to India) should not be in a position to re-route commerce just because of the Houthi threat,” she said. Tensions escalated recently when the Houthis claimed responsibility for launching 18 missiles and drones targeting the USS Harry Truman and other American warships. In response, Trump ordered large-scale airstrikes on Yemen, warning the Houthis that “their time is up.” The strikes killed 31 people and injured over 100, as claimed by the Houthis.
Concerns About Bangladesh
Gabbard also expressed deep concern about the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh, highlighting the persecution of religious minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians. She described the situation as a “major area of concern” for the US government and President Trump, who has committed to supporting religious freedom worldwide.
Gabbard’s Indo-Pacific Tour
Tulsi Gabbard’s visit to India is part of her broader Indo-Pacific tour, which also includes stops in Japan and Thailand. Her visit aims to strengthen diplomatic ties and enhance cooperation on issues like global security, economic stability, and emerging threats. The visit follows Modi's recent trip to the US, where both leaders discussed trade, defense partnerships, and regional security strategies.
Gabbard’s Appointment as DNI
Appointed as the Director of National Intelligence in January 2025, Gabbard now oversees 18 American intelligence agencies, including the CIA, FBI, and NSA, managing a budget of nearly $100 billion. Her appointment faced criticism due to her limited intelligence background and controversial past remarks about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Critics also recalled her 2017 visit to Syria, where she met with Bashar al-Assad while he was under US sanctions. Despite the controversy, Gabbard’s visit to India emphasizes Washington’s growing focus on strengthening ties with strategic allies, promoting global peace efforts, and ensuring stability in conflict-prone regions.
