Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who met US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi on Monday, raised India's concerns about activities of Sikhs for Justice on the American soil.
The bilateral meeting comes ahead of Gabbard's address at the Raisina Dialogue on Tuesday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited her. She arrived in India on Sunday, becoming the first high-ranking official from the new Donald Trump administration to visit the country.
Happy to have met the US Director of National Intelligence Ms @TulsiGabbard in New Delhi. We discussed a wide range of issues which include defence and information sharing, aiming to further deepen the India-US partnership. pic.twitter.com/DTUgJIgeCN
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 17, 2025
Sikhs for Justice, a pro-Khalistani outfit, has been banned by India. Singh asked Gabbard to take strong action against the organisation for its anti-India activities during the bilateral meeting. The two sides also discussed defence cooperation and intelligence sharing between the two nations.
Taking to X, the defence minister posted, "Happy to have met the US Director of National Intelligence Ms Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi."
Singh's meeting comes a day after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Gabbard to discuss sharing of intelligence and other bilateral issues. The conclave chaired by Doval was attended by intelligence and security officials from around 20 countries, including UK's MI6 chief Richard Moore and Canadian intelligence chief Daniel Rogers.
In February, PM Modi had met Gabbard during his visit to the US. The premier called the official a "strong votary" of the India-US friendship. It should be noted that Tulsi Gabbard, who follows Hinduism, is not of Indian origin but was born in the American Samoa. Her mother Carol Porter Gabbard became interested in Hinduism and hence gave her children Hindu names. Gabbard's siblings are Bhakti, Jai, Aryan and Vrindavan.
The 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue, which will conclude on March 19, will see India and its friendly nations discuss challenging geopolitical and geo-economic issues that impact the world. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is the chief guest at the event.
