PM Modi meets Tulsi Gabbard, gifts sacred Maha Kumbh water; Gabbard values Bhagavad Gita teachings

PTC Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi on Monday, where he presented her with sacred Ganga water collected during Maha Kumbh. The religious gathering, which concluded on February 26, witnessed a record attendance of over 660 million devotees at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, marking it as the world’s largest human congregation.

Gabbard’s visit comes just hours after her meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, where discussions centered on the activities of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) operating on American soil. In an interview with ANI, Gabbard, a practising Hindu, shared that she often seeks strength and wisdom from Lord Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita.

The US intelligence chief is on a two-and-a-half-day visit to India as part of a multinational tour. She arrived in New Delhi on Sunday and engaged in high-level talks with Indian officials on intelligence cooperation, cybersecurity, and defence partnerships. Her visit follows Prime Minister Modi’s trip to Washington in February, where he described Gabbard as a strong advocate of India-US relations.

During her stay, Gabbard participated in meetings and conferences aimed at strengthening bilateral security cooperation. She also attended a conclave chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, which brought together intelligence and security officials from around 20 countries. Organised by the National Security Council Secretariat, the event has been held alongside the Raisina Dialogue since 2022.

This marks Gabbard’s second international trip since assuming office, following her participation in the Munich Security Conference in Germany.