Tulsi Gabbard Becomes First Trump Official to Visit India for Security Talks and Raisina Dialogue
US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard is currently in India to attend high-level meetings on global security and the Raisina Dialogue.
Gabbard’s visit marks the first by a senior Trump administration official to India. As part of her multi-nation tour of the Indo-Pacific region, she will also visit Japan, Thailand, and France.
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that Gabbard is expected to engage with top Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, although specific details about her schedule have not been disclosed by either the Indian or US sides.
Gabbard is set to deliver a keynote address and participate in a conversation at the Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, on March 18.
Her trip to India follows a previous visit to Germany for the Munich Security Conference, shortly after her confirmation as DNI in February.
Participation in High-Level Security Conclave
Soon after arriving in India, Gabbard attended a closed-door conclave of intelligence and security officials from around 20 countries, chaired by National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval.
Since 2022, the National Security Council Secretariat has hosted this conclave alongside the Raisina Dialogue. The discussions focused on intelligence sharing and strategies to combat terrorism, terror financing, and threats from emerging technologies.
Indian officials also raised concerns about anti-India activities originating from foreign territories, including the presence of pro-Khalistan elements.
The conclave was attended by senior officials from Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates.
Speculation remains about a possible meeting of the “Five Eyes” alliance, which includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US.
Gabbard has maintained a low profile regarding her Indo-Pacific tour, but in a social media post on March 11, she mentioned that her visit is focused on fostering “strong relationships, understanding, and open lines of communication” to support Trump’s goals of “peace, freedom, and prosperity.”
Meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
On Monday, Gabbard held extensive discussions with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, focusing on strengthening India-US strategic ties, particularly in defence and intelligence sharing.
Singh raised concerns about anti-India activities carried out in the US by the banned Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. India urged the US to take stringent action against the group.
This issue gained significance after US prosecutors charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta for allegedly plotting to assassinate Pannun in November 2023.
The US Department of Justice claimed that the plot was orchestrated by an agent linked to India’s external intelligence agency, R&AW. India has denied involvement in the conspiracy and launched a high-level investigation into the matter.
Singh’s meeting with Gabbard also explored potential collaboration in defence innovation and advanced technologies.
According to a Defence Ministry statement, they discussed enhancing interoperability and strengthening defence supply chains to improve resilience and innovation.
Gabbard and Ajit Doval Discuss Intelligence Cooperation
Gabbard also held one-on-one talks with NSA Ajit Doval. Their discussions centered on enhancing intelligence sharing and cooperation in global security, aligning with the India-US strategic partnership.
They also addressed issues in the Indo-Pacific, including counterterrorism, money laundering, and extradition processes. The talks highlighted the importance of deeper collaboration to counter evolving security threats.
Strategic Implications of the Visit
Gabbard’s visit comes at a time of increasing geopolitical complexity in the Indo-Pacific and deepening India-US strategic ties.
Her meeting with Singh and Doval underscores the shared commitment to bolstering defence and intelligence cooperation.
The US-India partnership has grown stronger in recent years, with both countries seeking to address common security challenges and strengthen their strategic foothold in the region.
Last month, Gabbard met Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Washington, DC. Her visit to India is expected to reinforce bilateral ties, especially in intelligence and security domains.
Singh shared a positive update about the meeting on social media, stating that they discussed “ways to further deepen the India-US partnership.”
Strengthening Strategic Ties and Future Collaboration
Gabbard’s visit reflects the growing strategic alignment between India and the US, particularly in the defence and intelligence sectors.
The focus on combating terrorism, improving intelligence cooperation, and addressing anti-India activities abroad highlights the depth of the partnership.
With Gabbard’s visit reinforcing these commitments, India and the US appear poised to deepen their cooperation in addressing shared security challenges and advancing strategic interests.
