Washington, DC – Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the newly confirmed US Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Tulsi Gabbard, in Washington on Wednesday to discuss strengthening the strategic relationship between India and the United States. The discussions primarily centered around enhancing intelligence cooperation to tackle counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and other emerging global threats.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Modi congratulated Gabbard on her confirmation as the DNI. “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 former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and a combat veteran, was confirmed as the nation’s top intelligence official just hours before the meeting. She was sworn in by Attorney General Pam Bondi in a ceremony at the White House, where President Donald Trump praised her “extraordinary courage and patriotism.”
During the meeting, Modi and Gabbard discussed how the two countries can collaborate more effectively in the areas of counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and addressing emerging threats, such as cyber warfare and the proliferation of advanced technologies. According to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders shared a productive conversation about deepening the India-US intelligence partnership.
“PM @narendramodi held a productive meeting with US Director of National Intelligence @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC today. Discussions focused on enhancing intelligence cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity & emerging threats,” Jaiswal said on X.
Gabbard’s confirmation to the DNI role came after a rigorous Senate confirmation process, which saw a 52-48 vote in her favor. Despite some bipartisan skepticism surrounding her qualifications to oversee the intelligence agencies, Gabbard expressed her commitment to restoring trust in the intelligence community.
“Unfortunately, the American people have very little trust in the intelligence community, largely because they’ve seen the weaponization and politicization of an entity that is supposed to be purely focused on ensuring our national security,” Gabbard said in her swearing-in speech. She vowed to work towards refocusing the intelligence agencies to safeguard the nation’s security.
Earlier in the day, Modi had arrived in Washington, DC, following a visit to France, where he co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron. Modi is set to meet with President Trump for bilateral talks at the White House on Thursday.
“Our nations will keep working closely for the benefit of our people and for a better future for our planet,” Modi said on X, highlighting the importance of continued cooperation between India and the United States.
As Gabbard steps into her new role, both she and Modi are expected to work towards further solidifying the strong partnership between the two countries, focusing on intelligence sharing and collective security in the face of an increasingly complex global landscape.