Tulsi Gabbard’s Raisina Dialogue Speech Highlights India’s Future Role in U.S. Strategy

New Delhi, March 19 – In a speech that blended cultural symbolism with geopolitical significance, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard addressed the Raisina Dialogue, emphasizing the deep spiritual and diplomatic ties between India and the United States.

Gabbard, a former U.S. Congresswoman and the first Hindu member of the U.S. House of Representatives, opened her speech with a heartfelt greeting: “Good morning, aloha, namaste, Jai Shri Krishna.” The words, she noted, symbolized the fusion of her Hawaiian roots and Hindu-American identity. Her address came as part of a multinational tour of the Indo-Pacific, a visit strategically timed just two weeks before the Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs on India and other nations.

Peace, freedom, security, and prosperity were central themes of her speech, with a recurring emphasis on uniting the people of India and the United States. Gabbard leveraged her Pacific roots in Hawaii to reinforce the message of a stronger and more prosperous Indo-Pacific. Since the previous Trump administration, the Indo-Pacific has become a focal point of U.S. foreign policy. The Indian Ocean serves as the theater for four of the world’s major maritime chokepoints, with approximately 80% of global maritime oil trade passing through these narrow passages.

She advocated for a pragmatic, realpolitik approach to world peace, one rooted in economic ties. This stance reflects the recently failed U.S.-Ukraine mineral agreements, which, if successful, would have strengthened economic relations and provided Ukraine with a natural layer of security. While Gabbard did not explicitly reference any specific country or conflict, she stressed that securing peace requires “commitment to fostering cultural and economic ties that reduce the likelihood of an escalation to conflict” and “courage to engage directly with both friends and adversaries alike.”

During her address, Gabbard tackled the growing debate over America’s ‘America First’ policy, clarifying that it should not be misconstrued as ‘America Alone.’ Instead, she stressed the importance of expanding U.S.-India relations, an effort that aligns with Washington’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy. With China’s growing influence in the region, the U.S. has been working to position India as a key strategic counterweight. However, Gabbard asserted that such an alliance can only succeed if the U.S. treats India as an equal partner. In an exclusive conversation with NDTV gabbard stated “the long-time unfortunate persecution and killing and abuse of religious minorities (in Bangladesh) has been a major area of concern for the US government. The talks are just beginning between Trump’s incoming cabinet and the Bangladesh government, but this continues to remain a central focus area of concern.”

She also reaffirmed America’s commitment to strengthening security ties with India, particularly in cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and artificial intelligence. Reflecting on her personal values, Gabbard shared that in both moments of triumph and adversity, she finds guidance in Lord Krishna’s teachings from the Bhagavad Gita.

Gabbard’s visit also included a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 18, during which Modi presented her with a ceremonial vase filled with water from the Mahakumbh, a gesture underscoring India’s appreciation for her long standing support of U.S.-India ties.

As Gabbard continues her Indo-Pacific tour, her remarks at the Raisina Dialogue highlight a future in which U.S.-India relations evolve beyond transactional diplomacy, paving the way for a deeper strategic and cultural partnership.