US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s visit to India and participation in the Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, shows how the relations between the two biggest democracies are getting stronger
Our Bureau
Washington, DC/New Delhi
US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard’s visit to India this week highlighted decades strong India-US relationship bolstered by the friendship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, a statement from the office of DNI has said.
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DNI Gabbard recently visited India during her multi-nation trip to the Indo-Pacific region. During her visit, she held several bilateral engagements, including with PM Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and NSA Ajit Doval. She also attended the Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi. Gabbard’s meetings in India focused on intelligence-sharing, defense, counterterrorism, and transnational threats, the statement read.
During her remarks at the Raisina Dialogue, Gabbard emphasized the collective effort to drive toward President Trump’s goals of a peaceful, free, secure, and prosperous society. “President Trump remains unwavering in his commitment to achieving peace through a strategy rooted in realism and pragmatism,” said DNI Gabbard. “Securing peace through strength requires strong leadership with a clear-eyed and realistic understanding of global challenges and opportunities, a commitment to fostering cultural and economic ties that reduce the likelihood of an escalation to conflict, and a dedication to reinforcing mutual interests,” she said.
Gabbard thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting her to Raisina Dialogue. She noted that the ties between the two nations have been strong for decades.
Gabbard said, “I especially want to thank Prime Minister Modi for the invitation, to get together with new friends, to greet old friends here from across the Indo-Pacific region. I leave right after our dialogue here to head back to Washington, DC, but it’s been a constructive few days where I’ve been engaging with our Indian counterparts, working to continue to build up the momentum that was created by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi’s joint statement issued in Washington DC after their Oval Office meeting.”
During her visit, DNI Gabbard also participated in the Raisina Dialogue, which was hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs. It is India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community.
Gabbard expressed confidence that the partnership and friendship between the US and India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump will continue to grow and strengthen.
In her remarks at Raisina Dialogue on Tuesday, Gabbard expressed happiness on being back in India and called it a warm experience knowing the rich history of India. She began her address by greeting the audience with ‘Jai Shree Krishna.’
Gabbard said, “It is great for me to be back here in India. It’s been too long, but it’s always such a wonderful and warm experience knowing the rich history of this country and the vibrant democracy that really serves as the foundation for the special bond that has long existed between our two countries. I wanted to start our conversation today by greeting you with ‘Aloha’ and ‘Namaste’. Contrary to popular belief, these words are not just greetings. They actually both have very deep, spiritual, powerful meanings that, for me, have been at the core and heart of my life and are what I hope will inspire meaningful dialogue and conversations here at Raisina. When we greet each other with ‘Aloha’ and ‘Namaste’, what it really means is that I am coming to you and greeting you with respect.”
She thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting her to Raisina Dialogue. She noted that the ties between two nations have been strong for decades. Gabbard said, “I especially want to thank prime minister Modi for the invitation, to get together with new friends, to greet old friends here from across the Indo-Pacific region. I leave right after our dialogue here to head back to Washington, DC, but it’s been a constructive few days where I’ve been engaging with our Indian counterparts, working to continue to build up the momentum that was created by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi’s joint statement issued in Washington DC after their Oval Office meeting.”
“The partnership between our two countries has been strong for decades, and under the leadership of two great leaders and true great friends, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, and rooted in our shared values of peace and freedom, security and prosperity, I’m confident that this partnership and friendship between our two nations and our leaders will continue to grow and strengthen,” she added.
She called gatherings like Raisina Dialogue “important” as they give an opportunity to hold direct dialogue around the “most timely and pressing issues” that the world faces today. “I’m grateful to be here with all of you, because these gatherings are so important, because they give us the opportunity to come together and actually engage in direct dialogue and conversation around the most timely and pressing issues that face us all. The theme of this conference couldn’t be better people, peace and planet, highlighting these fundamental aspirations that unite us, it’s the foundation that prosperity, security and freedom rests. If we are not at peace, we cannot be truly prosperous, secure, or free,” Gabbard said.
“And so today, our actions, our dialogue, the reaffirmation of our commitments to these principles, to one another and our partnerships, and our shared vision for the future provide us with the opportunity to build more meaningful relationships and work together as we leave this conference towards the interests of the people, to protect our planet and to further the cause of peace,” she added.
She spoke about the war and conflicts that are taking place around the world. She also mentioned about Trump during his Presidency campaign expressed his commitment to peace and bringing an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged in a series of high-level bilateral meetings on the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue 2025, discussing key areas of cooperation with counterparts from Liechtenstein, Cuba, Moldova, Norway, and Georgia.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide also held discussions with Jaishankar, focusing on TEPA implementation, blue economy, and education collaboration, as well as Ukraine-related developments. “A warm meeting with FM Norway Espen Barth Eide this afternoon. Discussed implementation of TEPA, blue economy & education cooperation and Ukraine-related developments,” Jaishankar wrote.
Upon meeting Slovakia Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, Jaishankar shared on X: “Glad to meet FM Slovakia Juraj Blanar this evening. Spoke about trade, investment, mobility, education, infrastructure and culture. Appreciate receiving a Slovak translation of the Upanishad.”
“We condemn any instances of violence”: US State Dept on Bangladesh violence against minorities
US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Wednesday condemned the violence against minorities in Bangladesh during her press briefing.
When asked about the recent remarks made by US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard regarding Bangladesh, Bruce stated that the US welcomed efforts by the interim government to reduce instances of such violence.
“We condemn any instances of violence or intolerance directed toward members of minority communities in any country and have welcomed measures taken by Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure safety and security for all in Bangladesh. That’s what we’re watching. That’s what we expect. And that will be what continues,” Bruce said.
The Bangladesh interim government has expressed deep concern over Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks on an “Islamist caliphate,” stating that her comments are both “misleading and damaging” to the country’s image and reputation.
“We note with deep concern and distress the remarks made by DNI Tulsi Gabbard, in which she alleged “persecution and killing” of religious minorities in Bangladesh and that “the threat of Islamic terrorists” in the country is “rooted” in the “ideology and objective” to “rule and govern with an Islamist caliphate.
“This statement is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism”, Bangladesh’s interim government said in a statement late on Monday.
Gabbard remarked during an interview on an Indian television channel, where she explained the ideology of the “Islamic Caliphate” and how extremist elements have influenced various countries.
Condemning Gabbard’s statement, the Bangladesh government said her comments were not based on any evidence and unfairly generalized an entire nation.
“Gabbard’s comments are not based on any evidence or specific allegations. They paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush. Bangladesh, like many countries around the world, has faced challenges of extremism, but it has continuously worked in partnership with the international community, including the US, to address these issues through law enforcement, social reforms, and other counterterrorism efforts”, the statement read.
