March 11, 2025 – In a significant development for Indo-US relations, Tulsi Gabbard, the recently appointed US Director of National Intelligence (DNI), is set to visit India as part of a multi-nation tour of the Indo-Pacific region. This marks her first trip to India since assuming the role of the nation’s top intelligence official in the second Trump administration. The visit, announced on Monday, underscores the growing strategic partnership between the United States and India, with a focus on enhancing security cooperation and addressing shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and a military veteran, took to social media to share her plans, stating, “I am #WheelsUp on a multi-nation trip to the Indo-Pacific, a region I know very well having grown up as a child of the Pacific. I’ll be going to Japan, Thailand, and India, with a brief stop in France en route back to DC.” She emphasized that the trip aims to build “strong relationships, understanding, and open lines of communication” to support President Donald Trump’s objectives of peace, freedom, and prosperity.
The visit comes at a time when the Indo-Pacific region is witnessing heightened geopolitical tensions, including territorial disputes in the South China Sea and concerns over regional stability. India, a key player in the region, has been strengthening its ties with the United States to counterbalance these challenges. Gabbard’s itinerary reflects the US administration’s commitment to deepening alliances in this critical part of the world.
While specific details of her agenda in India remain under wraps, sources indicate that security talks will be at the forefront. Discussions are expected to cover intelligence-sharing, counter-terrorism efforts, cybersecurity, and defense cooperation. The visit builds on Gabbard’s earlier engagement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2025, when the two met in Washington, DC, during Modi’s bilateral talks with President Trump. That meeting, held shortly after Gabbard’s Senate confirmation as DNI, laid the groundwork for closer collaboration between the two nations.
Modi had praised Gabbard’s appointment at the time, noting her as a “strong votary” of the India-US friendship. “Congratulated her on her confirmation. Discussed various aspects of the India-USA friendship,” he posted on X following their Washington meeting. Gabbard, the first female combat veteran to serve as DNI, brings a unique perspective to the role, shaped by her military service and her vocal advocacy for non-interventionist policies during her political career.
Analysts see this visit as a continuation of the momentum in Indo-US relations, which have flourished in recent years through frameworks like the Quad (comprising the US, India, Japan, and Australia). Gabbard’s trip is likely to reinforce Washington’s commitment to supporting India’s role as a regional leader while advancing mutual interests in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Before arriving in India, Gabbard will stop in Honolulu to meet with intelligence community partners and leaders at the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), followed by visits to Japan and Thailand. Her brief stop in France on the return leg suggests a packed schedule aimed at bolstering international partnerships.
Gabbard’s appointment as DNI has not been without controversy. Her confirmation process faced scrutiny over her past statements on Russia, Syria, and government surveillance, as well as her lack of traditional intelligence experience. However, she secured Senate approval in a 52-48 vote in February, backed by most Republicans and bolstered by endorsements from Trump allies like Elon Musk. Now, as she steps into her role, this visit to India signals her intent to prioritize actionable diplomacy.
For India, the visit offers an opportunity to further solidify its strategic alignment with the United States. With both nations sharing concerns about terrorism, cybersecurity threats, and the need for a rules-based regional order, Gabbard’s discussions could pave the way for enhanced collaboration between their intelligence agencies.
As the world watches this unfolding partnership, Gabbard’s trip to India stands as a testament to the evolving dynamics of global security. Her meetings in New Delhi are poised to strengthen the Indo-US alliance, setting the stage for deeper cooperation in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
