Gabbard visit signals strategic shift

It sets up India-US collaboration in broader areas of defence, intelligence, and counterterrorism

Over the past two decades, India and the United States – two of the world’s largest democracies – have moved significantly closer, strengthening their strategic and economic partnership. Despite US President Donald Trump’s tariff wars and policies that have disrupted global trade and strained alliances, India and the US have sought to explore avenues for deeper engagement beyond economic cooperation, particularly in defence, security, and intelligence sharing.

In this evolving geopolitical landscape, the recent visit of Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, to India has injected new momentum into the bilateral relationship. Her visit signals a shift towards a more comprehensive and multidimensional engagement, underscoring shared strategic interests. It comes at a time when India and the US are navigating complex global challenges, including security threats, economic fluctuations, and shifting alliances.

While economic cooperation remains a pillar of the relationship, this visit highlights a broader agenda. Her high-level meetings with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh featured discussions centred on key security challenges including the rising threat of Khalistani extremism.

India expressed concerns about the activities of extremist Khalistani groups and urged the US to designate them as terrorist organisations. This marks an important shift, as India seeks greater cooperation from the US in curbing separatist movements that threaten its national security.

Intelligence-sharing mechanisms are also in focus – both countries recognise the need for a robust security partnership to counter emerging threats, including terrorism and cyber warfare. India has been vocal about the destabilising influence of extremist groups operating from foreign soil, particularly those exploiting Western democracies to further their agendas.

The Khalistani movement, which has found some support in the US, Canada, and the UK, has been a persistent concern for Indian authorities. Gabbard’s discussions with Indian officials indicate a growing recognition within the US administration of the need to curb extremist propaganda and financial networks linked to such groups.

Gabbard took the opportunity to elaborate on the Trump administration’s global security approach, particularly in relation to the Russia-Ukraine tensions and Middle Eastern conflicts. She emphasised that President

Trump’s administration is committed to mediating between Russia and Ukraine, working towards a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, Gabbard addressed the threat posed by the Houthi rebels in the Middle East. She defended the US military actions against the Houthis, arguing that their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea have disrupted global trade and commerce. Her comments reflect the Trump administration’s markedly aggressive stance on counterterrorism and regional security which aligns with India’s concerns regarding militant groups operating in South Asia and beyond.

She expressed serious concerns over the persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh and the rise of extremist groups in the country. India shares similar concerns, given its geographical proximity and historical experience with Islamist militancy in Bangladesh. Gabbard’s remarks also signal a greater alignment between the US and India in addressing terrorism in South Asia, an area where deeper cooperation could be mutually beneficial.

A new era in India-US ties?

Gabbard’s visit marks a pivotal moment in India-US relations, signifying a shift from a primarily economic focus to a broader strategic engagement encompassing defence, intelligence, and counterterrorism cooperation.

This multidimensional approach reflects the evolving global security landscape, where emerging threats necessitate coordinated international responses. It also signals a recalibration of US foreign policy priorities under the Trump administration.

For India, this presents an opportunity to deepen its strategic partnership with the US, particularly in areas of mutual interest such as countering terrorism, maintaining regional stability, and ensuring maritime security.

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Gabbard reaffirmed the US’ commitment to strengthening ties with India. Underscoring the importance of intelligence-sharing, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), she stressed the need for timely and relevant intelligence reporting to enhance security cooperation.

She described the Trump administration’s foreign policy vision as rooted in “realism, pragmatism, and securing peace through strength.” Her remarks underscored the strong economic and security foundation laid by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, reinforcing the significance of India-US collaboration in addressing contemporary global challenges.

The National Intelligence Director’s visit to India has reinforced the growing depth and complexity of India-US relations. By addressing India’s concerns about Khalistani extremism, advocating for stronger measures against Islamist terrorist groups, and highlighting the US’ interest in global peace and security, she has helped set the stage for a new phase of collaboration between the two countries.

(The writer is an associate fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses)