Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced his visit to the United States with a significant meeting with Tulsi Gabbard, the newly confirmed US Director of National Intelligence. This meeting took place shortly after Gabbard’s appointment was endorsed by the US Senate following a heated hearing.
PM Modi shared a photograph from the meeting on X (formerly Twitter), congratulating Gabbard on her confirmation and highlighting their discussion on various aspects of India-US relations.
“Met USA’s Director of National Intelligence, @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC. Congratulated her on her confirmation. Discussed various aspects of the India-USA friendship, of which she’s always been a strong votary,” Modi wrote.
Gabbard, a Hindu lawmaker from Hawaii, will now oversee 18 intelligence agencies in her new role. However, she has previously faced criticism for her stance on Russia, her past meeting with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and her support for whistleblower Edward Snowden.
Strengthening India-US Relations Under Trump’s Second Term
PM Modi’s visit comes at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, who shares a longstanding camaraderie with the Indian leader. Upon his arrival in Washington DC, Modi was greeted with enthusiastic chants of “Modi, Modi” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” by members of the Indian diaspora.
Modi expressed optimism about further strengthening the India-US partnership under Trump’s leadership. “Landed in Washington DC a short while ago. Looking forward to meeting @POTUS Donald Trump and building upon the India-USA Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” he posted on X.
During his two-day visit, Modi is staying at the Blair House, a historic 70,000-square-foot residence known for hosting world leaders.
A Vision for Deeper Cooperation
In his departure statement, PM Modi emphasized that his visit aims to deepen cooperation in key areas such as technology, trade, defense, energy, and supply chain resilience. He also recalled his past engagements with Trump, stating that their previous collaborations had laid a strong foundation for future partnerships.
“This visit will be an opportunity to build upon our past successes and develop an agenda to elevate our relationship further. We will work together for the mutual benefit of our people and shape a better future for the world,” Modi said.
Since Trump’s electoral victory in 2024, Modi and the US President have spoken twice over the phone, reinforcing their commitment to advancing India-US ties. The upcoming discussions are expected to set the stage for enhanced bilateral cooperation and strategic alignment between the two nations.
