US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard attends high-level security meet in Delhi, holds talks with NSA Ajit Doval

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Sunday (March 16) arrived on a three-day visit to India, where she met with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval later in the day. Both officials held bilateral talks and chaired a conclave of top global intelligence czars aimed at boosting cooperation to tackle security challenges.

Gabbard is also scheduled to address the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on Tuesday (March 18). Raisina Dialogue is India’s annual flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics.

News agency PTI reported that both sides discussed ways to strengthen intelligence sharing and working closely in sync with the India-US global strategic partnership. PTI quoted a source as saying it was a “good discussion”.

Canada spy chief also attended event

The conclave was also attended by Canadian spy chief Daniel Rogers.

The visit of Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) chief Rogers to India comes amid strained relations between the two countries over the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case. Ties worsened in September 2023 when then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar’s killing on Canadian soil.

No press release or statement was released by the Indian government over deliberations held behind closed doors.

According to the sources quoted by Indian media, the discussions centred on intelligence sharing and cooperation to combat terrorism, terror financing, and threats from emerging technologies. The Indian side also voiced concerns about anti-India elements operating from foreign soil, including pro-Khalistan groups.

Apart from US and Canada, intelligence officials from Australia, Germany, New Zealand and other friendly nations also attended the conclave.

Second foreign visit by Gabbard

It is Tulsi Gabbard’s second foreign visit since taking office last month. She first flew to Germany for the Munich Security Conference shortly after her confirmation as DNI in February.

Last month, Gabbard met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Washington DC. Their discussions reportedly covered various global challenges, including the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in West Asia.

(With inputs from agencies)