Idea Of Islamist Caliphate Will Be Defeated, Says Tulsi Gabbard | NDTV Exclusive

The idea of 'Islamist caliphate' will be defeated by forces opposed to terrorism, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on Monday in an exclusive interview with NDTV.

Gabbard, who is in India to attend a conclave of top global intelligence personnel, also spoke about the persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh. She said that the Trump administration will engage with the Bangladesh government on the matter which spurred up after long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted last year.

"The persecution and abuse of religious minorities has been a long-time concern for the US. The talks are just beginning with Bangladesh. It remains a focus area," Gabbard told NDTV's Vishnu Som.

"The global effort by Islamist groups are rooted in the same ideology and objective to rule and govern under an Islamist caliphate. They choose to carry this out through violence and terror. President Trump remains committed to defeat this ideology," she said.

Gabbard also said the US has ramped up attacks on the Yemen-based Houthi group who have caused disruptions on the maritime trade routes near the Horn of Africa.

"President Trump remains committed to fighting Islamist threats. He has re-designated Houthis as terrorist organisation and is taking actions where previous administration has failed. There are many countries impacted by disruption caused by Houthis," she said.

The US intelligence czar also said President Trump is determined to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine and will sepak to his counterpart Vladimir Putin on productive terms.

"The President has made his priorities clear: peace. The negotiations have began with our best negotiators working with Ukraine and Russia. There was no effort by Biden to end the war, while Trump has made much more progress for peace in lesser time. Surely, President Trump will have a very productive conversation with Putin," she said.

The two leaders are slated to talk on Tuesday amid the US attempt to secure a quick ceasefire deal in Ukraine that pauses a war is its fourth year.