President Donald Trump has expressed serious concerns regarding the situation in Bangladesh, particularly over the longstanding persecution of religious minorities in the country. This concern was highlighted by the US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, during an interview with NDTV.
Gabbard emphasized that the persistent and unfortunate mistreatment, violence, and discrimination against religious minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others, have been a significant issue of concern for both the US government and President Trump. She reiterated that the United States continues to monitor these developments closely.
Arriving in New Delhi on Sunday for a two-and-a-half-day visit, Gabbard’s trip marked the first high-level visit to India by a top official from the Donald Trump administration. Her visit underscored the importance of strengthening diplomatic ties between India and the United States, focusing on security, intelligence sharing, and strategic cooperation.
On Monday, Gabbard met with India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the growing strategic ties between the two nations. The meeting focused on deepening collaboration in defence and intelligence sharing. The discussions reflected both countries’ commitment to enhancing their partnership in tackling global security challenges.
In a social media post following the meeting, Rajnath Singh expressed his satisfaction over the discussions, stating that they covered a wide range of issues, including defence cooperation and intelligence sharing, to further solidify the India-US partnership. He emphasized the mutual interest in strengthening bilateral relations for regional and global stability.
Before she met with Rajnath Singh, Gabbard had engaged in discussions with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. She also participated in a high-profile conclave attended by intelligence leaders from various countries, an event hosted by India in New Delhi.
During her conversation with Doval, the two officials focused on bolstering intelligence-sharing mechanisms and enhancing security cooperation in alignment with the broader India-US global strategic partnership. Discussions also touched upon crucial aspects such as regional security in the Indo-Pacific, counterterrorism efforts, and initiatives to combat terror financing and money laundering. Additionally, matters related to extradition and immigration policies were brought into the dialogue, reflecting India’s concerns over anti-India elements operating from foreign territories, including pro-Khalistan groups.
In her interview with NDTV, Gabbard did not hold back in her criticism of the Biden administration, particularly regarding its handling of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. She criticized President Joe Biden for failing to take concrete steps toward resolving the war in Ukraine, stating that “there was no effort at peace or (to have a) direct dialogue with Putin.” She emphasized that diplomatic engagement was essential to ending the conflict and accused the administration of lacking the will to pursue peaceful negotiations.
Beyond Ukraine, Gabbard also addressed the rising threat posed by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea region. She acknowledged that the Houthis had been attacking key maritime trade routes for a prolonged period and, once again, criticized the Biden administration for failing to take decisive action against these threats.
Highlighting the shared strategic concerns of India and the United States, she stressed that both nations should not have to alter or re-route their commercial shipping routes due to security threats posed by the Houthis. She called for stronger and more coordinated efforts to counter such challenges effectively.
Gabbard’s visit to India is set to conclude with her address at the Raisina Dialogue on March 18, a premier global forum focused on geopolitics and security. Her speech at the forum will mark the final leg of her Asia tour, which also includes visits to Japan and Thailand.
This visit follows Gabbard’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month in Washington, D.C., further reinforcing the ongoing diplomatic engagements between the two countries. As India and the United States continue to collaborate on multiple strategic fronts, Gabbard’s visit serves as another step toward strengthening bilateral cooperation in the realms of security, intelligence, and global economic stability.
