Who Is Tulsi Gabbard? PM Modi Meets Trump's New Intelligence Director After Landing In US
Gabbard thanked the president for his trust in her and vowed to “refocus our intelligence community” after she was sworn in.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Tulsi Gabbard, the newly elected US Director of National Intelligence, after landing in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning as per IST). The meeting involved a discussion on various ties between the US and India focused on enhancing intelligence cooperation in counter-terrorism and emerging threats.
This was one of the first meetings among many in PM Modi’s packed US schedule, including meeting President Donald Trump. Modi and Trump will hold bilateral discussions in the White House on Thursday.
Modi also congratulated Hindu-American Gabbard on her confirmation as the nation’s top intelligence official. She was confirmed on Wednesday. "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 posted on X.
Here's all you need to know about Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic Representative, who was sworn in as the next Director of National Intelligence on Wednesday in the Oval Office.
Who Is Tulsi Gabbard?
Born in the US Territory of American Samoa, Tulsi Gabbard was elected to Hawaii’s House of Representatives at just 21 years of age. However, she had to leave this role after getting deployed to Iraq.
Returning home in 2006, Gabbard worked in the US Senate as a legislative aide to Senator Danny Akaka.
She was later elected to Congress representing Hawaii, where she became the first Hindu member of the House. Gabbard was sworn into office with her hand on the Bhagwad Gita.
She served four terms in the House. Tulsi Gabbard was often seen openly criticising her party’s leadership.
Gabbard gained prominence in progressive politics in 2016, largely due to her early support for Bernie Sanders during the Democratic presidential primary.
In 2020, she sought the Democratic nomination for President, but later dropped out of the race and endorsed Joe Biden, who eventually won the elections that year.
Gabbard left the Democratic Party in 2022, and endorsed Trump earlier this year which helped her gain instant popularity among Republican supporters.
While Gabbard does not traditionally have experience in intelligence, she is a veteran with over two decades of experience in the Army National Guard.
She was a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve, serving as Battalion Commander of the 1/354 Regiment in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
(With PTI Inputs)
