MP gears up for PM Modi, Prez Murmu & HM Shah’s visit
In his first formal official meeting after arriving in Washington, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Tulsi Gabbard, who was recently confirmed as the Director of National Intelligence following her Senate victory.
Following their meeting on Wednesday night, PM Modi shared on X: “Congratulated her on her confirmation. Discussed various aspects of the India-USA friendship, of which she’s always been a strong votary.”
Gabbard overcame significant opposition to secure the Senate vote on Wednesday, confirming her as the nation’s top intelligence official. She was sworn in just hours before her meeting with PM Modi.
She received 52 votes to 48, with only one Republican, Senator Mitch McConnell, joining the Democrats in voting against her.
An American Hindu, Gabbard’s religious beliefs were used against her by some of her opponents during the confirmation process.
During her 11-year tenure in the House of Representatives, she consistently supported India. She served as the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans and was a member of both the House Intelligence Subcommittee and the Armed Forces Committee.
A former vice president of the Democratic Party, she later left the party and joined the Republican Party, actively campaigning for Donald Trump last year.
Attorney General Pam Bondi administered the oath of office to Gabbard, whom Trump described as “an American of extraordinary courage and patriotism.”
Acknowledging her three deployments in the Army National Guard and her previous role as a Democratic Congresswoman, Trump remarked, “Can you believe that?”
Gabbard, 43, faced bipartisan scepticism regarding her ability to oversee the nation’s intelligence agencies.
After being sworn in, she expressed gratitude to the President for his trust in her and vowed to “refocus our intelligence community.”
“Unfortunately, the American people have very little trust in the intelligence community, largely because they’ve seen the weaponisation and politicisation of an entity that is supposed to be purely focused on ensuring our national security,” she stated.
Gabbard has met PM Modi multiple times in the past. Following a meeting in 2019, she noted, “India is the world’s largest democracy and one of the United States’ most important partners in the Asia-Pacific region.”
“It is important that we continue to strengthen this partnership between our two nations that has long had support from both Democrat and Republican leaders,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared on X that Wednesday’s discussions included enhancing intelligence cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and emerging threats.
“PM Narendra Modi held a productive meeting with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in Washington DC today. Discussions focused on enhancing intelligence cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and emerging threats,” the post read.
PM Modi arrived in Washington on Wednesday around 5:30 p.m. (Thursday, 4 a.m. IST) after visiting France, where he co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.
On Thursday, PM Modi and Trump are set to hold bilateral discussions at the White House.
“Our nations will keep working closely for the benefit of our people and for a better future for our planet,” PM Modi posted on X.
