US Intel chief Tulsi Gabbard (Image Credit: X/@DNIGabbard)
US national intelligence director
Tulsi Gabbard is all set to visit
Indo-Pacific region
including India with an aim to build strong relationships, understanding, and create open lines of communication in order to achieve President Donald Trump's objective.
In a post on X, the US national intelligence director said that her first visit will be Honolulu, Hawaii where she will visit IC partners and INDOPACOM leaders.
"I am #WheelsUp 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 enroute back to DC. Building strong relationships, understanding, and open lines of communication are vital to achieving President Trump's objectives of peace, freedom and prosperity. First stop: Honolulu where I'll visit IC partners and INDOPACOM leaders, and our troops engaging in training," Tulsi said in a post on X.
It is pertinent to mention that this is the first visit by a top White House official to India, under the Trump administration.
Her visit to India follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in February, where he met with Tulsi Gabbard and called her a "strong votary" of the India-US friendship.
One of PM Modi’s first engagements in the US was a meeting with Tulsi Gabbard, who was recently confirmed as the Director of National Intelligence under President Trump’s administration.
Gabbard’s nomination was approved by the Senate in a 52-48 vote, with most Republicans backing her despite initial reservations over her past remarks on Russia, her meeting with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and her previous support for whistleblower Edward Snowden. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was the only Republican to vote against her confirmation.
During their meeting, PM Modi recalled his earlier interactions with Gabbard and congratulated her on her new role. Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral intelligence cooperation, particularly in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, emerging threats, and strategic intelligence sharing. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments, reaffirming their commitment to a secure, stable, and rules-based international order.
PM Modi shared details of their conversation on X, posting, "Met USA’s Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard 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."
Gabbard also called it an "honour" to welcome PM Modi and said she looks forward to continue strengthening the US-India friendship.