Roving Periscope: Tulsi Gabbard sees ‘huge opportunities’ in India
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: President Donald Trump’s close associate Tulsi Gabbard, now the Director of National Intelligence in the US, has said there is “nothing but opportunity” in the India-US partnership, the media reported.
Her observation came a day after Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on America’s imports from April 2. She is in India to attend an international conference on intelligence.
According to a media report, quoting an interview, she spoke about the US tariff regime, the future of India-US relations and taking inspiration from Lord Krishna’s guidance to Arjuna on the battlefield. Gabbard, a former Democrat, is the daughter of Christian parents converted to Hinduism and hails from the Hawaiian island in the US.
She highlighted the strong rapport between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The tone and the relationship with our new administration under President Trump and Prime Minister Modi were set during Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to the White House. As you know, they are already good friends. It was a great opportunity for them to share their joint vision for the US-India partnership and the opportunity for us to continue to strengthen that partnership.”
Discussing the US tariff regime, she stated, “What I have heard from Indian government officials is that there is an opportunity here to see more potential for strengthening our economic relationship. I am glad to see that they are looking at it in a positive light rather than focusing solely on the negative aspects when we look at tariffs.”
“Obviously, Prime Minister Modi is looking out for what is in the best interest of India’s economy and the opportunities available for the people of India. Similarly, President Trump is doing the same for the United States, our economic interests, and the interests of the American people,” added Gabbard, who also served in the US Army Reserve for over two decades.
A self-declared Hindu American, Gabbard also spoke about drawing inspiration from the teachings of the Mahabharata, particularly Lord Krishna’s guidance to Arjuna. She asserted that these lessons provide her with strength, peace, and comfort throughout the day. “Whether serving in war zones in different parts of the world or facing current challenges, it is Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita that I turn to in the best of times and the worst of times, continuously learning critical lessons that give me strength and peace,” she said.
Gabbard is visiting India as part of a multi-nation tour that includes stops in Japan, Thailand, and France. She arrived in New Delhi early Sunday for a two-and-a-half-day trip. On Monday, she met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss enhancing India-US strategic ties, especially in defence and information sharing.
Earlier, she met with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and attended a conclave of global intelligence chiefs in the national capital. She is also scheduled to address the Raisina Dialogue on Tuesday.
