Amid growing concerns about US isolationism under President Donald Trump, Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, sought to clarify the intent behind Trump’s ‘America First’ policy during her address at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on Tuesday.
She emphasized that policymakers should not interpret it as ‘America alone’.
Gabbard drew parallels between Trump’s approach and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘India First’ commitment, emphasizing that both are rooted in a leader’s responsibility to prioritize their country’s interests.
Gabbard explained, “This is the expectation of any leader’s commitment to their people—to serve them and to put their interests at the forefront of their decisions.”
She further clarified that President Trump believes in fostering relationships based on shared interests, despite his strong focus on securing the interests of Americans.
US-India Partnership Under Strong Leadership
Gabbard, the first high-level US official to visit India after Trump’s return to the White House, reaffirmed the enduring strength of US-India relations.
She expressed confidence that the partnership between the two nations, driven by Presidents Trump and Modi, would continue to grow.
“The partnership between our countries has been strong for decades and under the leadership of two great leaders and two great friends, President Trump and PM Modi, and rooted in our shared values of peace and freedom, security, and prosperity,” Gabbard said.
India’s Security Concerns And US Support
During her address, Gabbard acknowledged India’s ‘very serious concerns’ regarding its security, although she did not directly address specific threats such as those from groups like Sikhs for Justice, which India has requested the US to ban.
However, she spoke about the potential for greater intelligence sharing between the two countries, noting the importance of timely information in supporting leadership decisions.
Cooperation In The Indo-Pacific Region
Gabbard also focused on the Indo-Pacific region, calling it not just a geographical space but the ‘geopolitical center of gravity’ for the 21st century.
She emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the region for global security, economic prosperity, and the collective ability to address significant challenges.
She added, “So, ensuring peace and stability here is essential to our collective security, our objective of economic prosperity, and our ability to work together to take on the great challenges of our time.”
Gabbard underlined the necessity of collaboration between the US, India, and other nations in the region to achieve these goals.
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