Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, has visited India recently and discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in issues ranging from intelligence-sharing, defense, and counter-terrorism to countering transnational threats, as per an American official.
Her trip to New Delhi highlighted the long-standing and strong relationship between the US and India, a relationship that is also cemented by the personal chemistry between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump, an Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) spokesperson said.
Gabbard landed in New Delhi early on Sunday for a two-and-half-day visit, the first of its kind at the high-level by a high-ranking Trump official.
Gabbard, the first-ever elected official from outside the Indian community to visit the country as the chief of staff, had separate meetings with several top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
"Within India, the DNI held a number of bilateral meetings, including with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi," said the spokesperson.
"The emphasis in DNI Gabbard's meetings in India was on the sharing of intelligence, defense partnership, counter-terrorism, and resolution of transnational security issues," the official said. Gabbard also spoke at the Raisina Dialogue, where she emphasized President Trump's initiatives in promoting peace across different conflict-torn areas.
President Trump continues to express his firm dedication to peace, fashioned under a realistic and pragmatic approach," she stated.
"To attain peace through strength, one needs strong leadership, a sharp vision of world challenges, and a commitment towards creating cultural and economic bonds that reduce the likelihood of conflict escalation but strengthen common interests," Gabbard elucidated.
At her meeting with Defence Minister Singh, Defence Minister Singh brought up the case of Khalistani separatist organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) operating in the United States. Singh conveyed India's concerns and pressed Gabbard to label the group as a designated terrorist organization, Indian government sources stated.
Singh also told Gabbard of SFJ's purported links to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and its alleged links to the Babbar Khalsa militant organization, emphasizing the urgency to act against it.
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