Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Tulsi Gabbard, the newly confirmed Director of National Intelligence (DNI) for the United States, during his visit to Washington, D.C. The meeting on Wednesday (Feb 12, 2025) marked a key moment in the Prime Minister’s packed schedule, being one of his first engagements with a member of President’s administration.

The meeting covered a range of critical issues, with a primary focus on strengthening intelligence cooperation between India and the US. “The discussions touched on enhancing bilateral intelligence cooperation, particularly in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, emerging threats, and strategic intelligence sharing,​” said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official statement. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments, underscoring their commitment to a secure, stable, and rules-based international order.

Prime Minister Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts on the meeting. “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,” he wrote, highlighting Gabbard’s role in promoting stronger ties between the two countries.

This interaction was a continuation of their previous interactions, with PM Modi recalling their past discussions fondly. The meeting took place just after the Prime Minister arrived in Washington, where he was greeted by members of the Indian diaspora who gathered to welcome him.

Who is Tulsi Gabbard?

She is a military veteran and former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii, and was recently confirmed by the US Senate as the Director of National Intelligence. She was confirmed by a narrow 52-48 vote in the Senate, where the confirmation faced strong opposition from Democrats. Despite the controversy surrounding her nomination, particularly due to her previous stances and interactions with figures like Bashar al-Assad and Edward Snowden, Gabbard has now gained significant trust, even from Senate Republicans.

What’s her role as DNI?

As DNI, Gabbard is responsible for coordinating the work of 18 different intelligence agencies in the US, a role that is especially critical in the post-9/11 era, which saw the creation of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to address intelligence failures that became evident following the 2001 attacks.

India-US Relations

This meeting underscores the deepening cooperation between India and the United States, particularly in areas of shared security concerns like counter-terrorism and cybersecurity. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US, which includes his upcoming meeting with President Trump, is seen as an important step in further solidifying the India-US strategic partnership.

The ongoing partnership in intelligence sharing and other key areas continues to be a foundation of the bilateral relationship, with both nations working to address emerging threats and global challenges together.