Talks with NSA Doval, intel officials aligned with Modi-Trump vision: Tulsi Gabbard

Gabbard’s trip to India is part of a larger Indo-Pacific tour aimed at fortifying regional security ties.

US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard on Monday underscored the deepening strategic partnership between India and the US following her meeting with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and other top intelligence officials.

Gabbard highlighted that discussions were rooted in the shared vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, with a focus on expanding cooperation beyond intelligence to include commerce, trade, and defense. "The meetings I've had here are set on this foundation (joint vision of US President and PM Modi) on how we can continue to integrate and strengthen our relationship, not only in the area of intelligence but also in commerce, trade, and defense. I see nothing but opportunity in the US-India partnership," she stated in an interview with ANI.

As part of her visit, Gabbard, on Sunday, engaged in extensive discussions with Doval on multiple aspects of bilateral ties. The meeting focused on enhancing intelligence-sharing mechanisms and aligning security cooperation within the broader India-US strategic partnership.

The bilateral talks between Doval and Gabbard took place alongside a high-level conclave of top intelligence officials, hosted by India’s National Security Council Secretariat. The conclave focused on bolstering international cooperation to address security challenges, including counterterrorism and the threats posed by emerging technologies.

The event saw participation from key global intelligence leaders, including Canadian spy chief Daniel Rogers and UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, underscoring India's role in shaping the international security dialogue.

Gabbard’s visit marks the first high-level engagement between US intelligence leadership and Indian counterparts under the Trump administration’s current term. Her meetings reflect the growing collaboration between the two nations in both security and economic domains, reinforcing their commitment to a stronger strategic partnership.

Gabbard’s trip to India is part of a larger Indo-Pacific tour aimed at fortifying regional security ties. During her visit, she is also expected to meet top Indian government officials, including Prime Minister Modi - her second meeting with him since her confirmation as DNI in the Trump administration. Additionally, she will deliver a keynote address and participate in a Q&A session at the Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier conference on global geopolitics, on March 18.

In a post on X, the US intel chief reiterated her commitment to fortifying partnerships in the region. "I am wheels up on a multi-nation trip to the Indo-Pacific, a region I know very well, having grown up as a child of the Pacific. I’ll be going to Japan, Thailand, and India, with a brief stop in France en route back to DC," she wrote.

This marks Gabbard’s first visit to India since assuming charge as DNI in the Trump administration’s second term. Earlier in February, PM Modi met Gabbard in Washington, DC, during his US visit, where he congratulated her on her confirmation and discussed the evolving India-US partnership.