“Look forward to strengthening India-US friendship”: US Intelligence Chief on meeting PM Modi

PM Modi met newly-appointed US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and discussed various aspects of India-US friendship.

US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard said on Friday (local time) that it was “honour” to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US and she looked forward to strengthening friendship between two nations.

In a post on X, Tulsi Gabbard stated, “It was an honor to welcome India’s Prime Minister @narendramodi back to the United States, and look forward to continuing to strengthen the US-India friendship.”

She made the statement in response to a post shared by PM Narendra Modi regarding the meeting held in Washington, DC, on Wednesday (local time).

PM Modi was on a two-day visit to the US. After arrival in Washington, DC on Wednesday (local time), PM Modi met newly-appointed US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and discussed various aspects of India-US friendship.

PM Modi and Gabbard shook hands and warmly greeted each other. He congratulated Gabbard on her confirmation. PM Modi noted that Gabbard is a “strong votary” of India-US friendship.

It was an honor to welcome India’s Prime Minister @narendramodi back to the United States, and look forward to continuing to strengthen the US-India friendship. https://t.co/72UW3SusOV

— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) February 14, 2025

PM Modi travelled to the US for a two-day visit at the invitation of US President Donald Trump. India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, and other officials welcomed him at the airport. This was PM Modi’s first visit to the United States after Donald Trump assumed office for the second term.

During his visit to the US, he met Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday (local time) – the first meeting between the two leaders after Trump assumed office as the 47th US President on January 20. The two leaders shared a warm hug as Trump welcomed PM Modi at the White House.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri provided an overview of PM Modi’s visit to the US. He said that the Prime Minister held discussions with notable figures, including newly confirmed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

The Foreign Secretary emphasised that the extensive four-hour talks at the White House covered a wide range of issues, including strategic and security cooperation, defence, trade, economic engagement, technology, energy security, and regional and global concerns.

While addressing a press briefing on Thursday (local time), Misri said, “The PM just concluded a very substantive and productive visit to the United States at the invitation of President Donald Trump. This is the Prime Minister’s first visit to the United States after the inauguration of President Trump for a second term. This visit is a signal of the priority that both leaders attach to the India-US relationship. The newly confirmed Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, paid a call to the PM. The PM received Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.”

“The discussions at the White House went on for four hours. The discussions covered a lot of ground. The entire gamut of the relationship, ranging from strategic and security cooperation, defence, trade and economic engagement, technology, energy security and people-to-people linkages, regional and global issues of concerns were dealt with,” he added.

PM Modi is among the first few world leaders to visit the United States following the inauguration of President Trump and has been invited to visit the US within barely three weeks of the new administration. (ANI)

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