NEW DELHI – The United States has praised Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard for her “nuanced understanding” of the Indo-Pacific region, days after her visit to India, where she met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top officials.
A statement issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) highlighted Gabbard’s background in the region and her commitment to strengthening U.S. partnerships. “Having been born and raised in the Indo-Pacific region, DNI Gabbard brought a nuanced understanding of the area’s crucial partnerships and complex challenges,” the statement said.
During her visit, Gabbard held discussions with key Indian security officials, including National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief Ravi Sinha, and Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Tapan Deka. She also participated in a Five Eyes security alliance meeting hosted in New Delhi.
The visit, according to the ODNI, “explored opportunities to advance President Trump’s America First policies across the Indo-Pacific region.”
In an exclusive interview with NDTV World, Gabbard addressed regional security issues, highlighting concerns over religious persecution in Bangladesh. “The longtime unfortunate persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others has been a major area of concern for the U.S. government and President Trump’s administration,” she said.
She also spoke on extremist threats, stating, “The threat of Islamist terrorists and the global effort of different terror groups are rooted in the same ideology and objective – which is to rule or govern with an Islamist Caliphate.”
Bangladesh’s interim government rejected her remarks, calling them “misleading” and damaging to the country’s reputation. “This statement is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism,” a government spokesperson said.
The U.S. State Department also backed Gabbard’s broader position on minority rights, while acknowledging Bangladesh’s efforts in tackling extremism. “We condemn any instances of violence or intolerance directed toward members of minority communities in any country and have welcomed measures taken by Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure safety and security for all in Bangladesh,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
Gabbard’s visit, part of her first multi-nation tour as DNI, included stops in Hawaii, Japan, Thailand, India, and France. She also delivered a keynote address at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, emphasizing the Trump administration’s approach to global security. “Securing peace through strength requires strong leadership with a clear-eyed and realistic understanding of global challenges and opportunities,” she said.
