When the words “Director of Intelligence” are uttered, in the mind of an average Indian, the images that flash instantly are that of the Director of CBI and the Director of Intelligence Bureau. Flooded with visuals of raids on suspects splashed by the media, CBI’s image isn’t always very flattering. And while the Director of IB might be very competent in discharging his/her duties, one rarely hears, if at all, the DIB delivering a lecture on international relations or spiritual moorings or the significance of peace on our planet. So well groomed, well dressed, well informed and articulate Tulsi Gabbard presents a refreshingly new and charming persona for the Head of National Intelligence in America.
Born in American Samoa in 1981, Tulsi Gabbard has represented the 2nd Distt of Hawaii in the US Congress from 2013 to 2021 and became the first American Samoan and practicing Hindu American, to be the 8th Director of National Intelligence. She was the first senior member of President Donald Trump 2.0 to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 February in Washington, DC, a few hours after her Senate confirmation. She was again the first representative of the current Trump Administration to visit India (16-18 March 2025) to attend a Conclave of intelligence heads chaired by the NSA, Ajit Doval and to participate in Raisina Dialogue 2025. She left no one in doubt that she was visiting India at the invitation of PM Modi.
She isn’t shy of sharing her religious identity and spiritual moorings. She began her speech at Raisina Dialogue with Aloha and Jai Shri Krishna and explained, “When we greet each other with ‘aloha’ and ‘namaste,’ we are saying I come to you with respect, recognizing the eternal spirit that exists within each of our hearts; that we are all children of God, connected to one another at a spiritual level, regardless of our race, religion, ethnicity, politics, where we come from, or our status in society.” Wish this positive and accommodative approach is translated into action
Long ago, American poet, T.S. Eliot had acknowledged Bhagavad Gita’s influence on him. Interestingly, Bhagavad Gita offers inner strength to Tulsi also, “Whether serving in war zones in different parts of the world or facing current challenges, it is Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita that I turn to in the best of times and the worst of times, continuously learning critical lessons that give me strength and peace.”
A readout from the Office of DNI underlined that Director Gabbard’s visit to India highlighted decades of strong India-US relationship bolstered by the friendship of PM Modi and US President Donald Trump. Her meetings with Indian leaders focused on intelligence sharing, defence, counter terrorism, and transnational threats.
Tulsi Gabbard met PM Modi on 17 March; he recalled his visit to Washington and productive meetings with President Trump in February this year, conveyed the greetings of 1.4 billion Indians and expressed his hope to receive him in India, later this year. He presented an urn containing Ganga Jal from the Maha Kumbh to Tulsi.
Media reports suggest that PM Modi reiterated the two countries’ commitment to combating terrorism and enhancing maritime and cyber security cooperation. He also applauded Gabbard’s own role in strengthening cooperation in defence, critical and emerging technologies, counter terrorism and other global challenges.
Also, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reportedly asked Tulsi Gabbard to get SFJ (Sikhs for Justice) of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun designated as a foreign terrorist organization for carrying out anti India and secessionist and pro-Khalistani activities on American soil. Singh pointed out that SFJ was linked to Pakistani and other terrorist organisations.
After meeting DNI Tulsi Gabbard, EAM Jaishankar tweeted, “Delighted to meet US DNI Tulsi Gabbard this evening.
A useful exchange on contemporary global and regional security challenges.”
NSA Ajit Doval chaired a conclave of intelligence heads from the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others on 16 March in Delhi. Unofficial sources claim, they discussed information sharing, combating and funding of terrorism, cyber security, money laundering, security in the Indo-Pacific region and issues related to extradition and immigration. The presence of the Canadian intelligence chief, Daniel Rogers was significant, given the recent spat between Indian and Canadian governments over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. India would have flagged the rise of anti-India and pro Khalistani activities in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Doval met Tulsi Gabbard separately as well. It is assumed that the issue of an aborted attempt on the life of Pannun in USA might have figured in her talks with him. Many Indians feel Khalistani activists wanted in India enjoy too much freedom in the US.
Her speech at Raisina Dialogue broadly covered all facets of India-US relations; it sounded like the speech of a head of government. She applauded the Raisina theme, “Your focus on peace, people, and planet is timely. If we are not at peace, we can’t be prosperous, secure or free.” She stressed Trump’s commitment to peace and to bring about an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, to stop the killing and to prevent the risk of World War III or a nuclear war. Regrettably, his latest phone conversation with Putin and Zelenskyy has been followed by an escalation in bombing by both sides.
Tulsi underlined that President Trump “remains unwavering in his commitment to achieving peace through strategy rooted in realism and pragmatism.” “Securing peace through strength requires strong leadership with a clear-eyed and realistic understanding of global challenges and opportunities…courage to engage directly with friends and adversaries alike, to increase understanding, resolve differences, and work to prevent an escalation to conflict.” Obviously, Trump seems to be pursuing this with regard to both Ukrainian and Israel-Hamas conflicts.
She saw no conflict between MAGA and MIGA, and felt it was the duty of each leader to put the interest of his people at the forefront of his decision. She was at pains to dispel the notion that MAGA means the US is pursuing isolationist policies.
In her conversation with a news agency, Tulsi put issues of tariff and differences in the right perspective. “Obviously, PM Modi is looking out for what is in the best interest of India’s economy and the opportunities available for the people of India. Similarly, President Trump is doing the same for the United States, our economic interest and the interest of the American people… What I see as a great positive is that we have two leaders who have common sense and are looking for good solutions.”
She pointed out that dialogue between the two countries was happening at the top and other levels and efforts were on how we can integrate, how we can continue to strengthen our relations not only in areas of intelligence but commerce, trade, defence, education…in fact there were no bounds where two countries couldn’t cooperate.
* Surendra Kumar is a retired Ambassador of India.