During his visit to Washington, D.C., Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting with Tulsi Gabbard, the newly appointed US Director of National Intelligence (DNI), to discuss expanding intelligence cooperation between India and the United States. The meeting primarily focused on counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and addressing emerging global threats.
Congratulating Gabbard on her recent confirmation, Modi praised her as a “strong advocate” of India-US friendship. He shared on social media platform X, “Met USA’s Director of National Intelligence, @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC. Congratulated her on her confirmation. Discussed various aspects of the India-USA friendship, of which she’s always been a strong votary.”
Gabbard was formally sworn in as DNI at a White House ceremony earlier this week. The oath was administered by US Attorney General Pam Bondi, with President Donald Trump commending her for her courage, military service, and dedication to national security. Trump referenced Gabbard’s three deployments with the Army National Guard and her political journey, emphasizing her commitment to the country.
Strengthening Intelligence Ties
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that Modi and Gabbard engaged in a productive discussion on intelligence sharing. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “PM @narendramodi held a productive meeting with US Director of National Intelligence @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC today. Discussions focused on enhancing intelligence cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity & emerging threats.”
This meeting follows Modi’s visit to France, where he co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. Modi is also scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House, where further discussions on strategic partnerships are expected.
Bipartisan Debate Over Gabbard’s Appointment
Despite her confirmation as DNI, Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, faced bipartisan skepticism regarding her ability to lead US intelligence agencies. The US Senate narrowly approved her appointment in a 52-48 vote after extensive deliberations.
In her first official remarks as DNI, Gabbard acknowledged public distrust in intelligence agencies and pledged to rebuild their credibility. “Unfortunately, the American people have very little trust in the intelligence community, largely because they’ve seen the weaponization and politicization of an entity that is supposed to be purely focused on ensuring our national security,” she stated.
As both nations continue to strengthen strategic ties, Gabbard’s role in advancing US-India intelligence cooperation is expected to play a crucial part in shaping future security collaborations.
