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.

Klitschko said, “Fire and rescue services continue to work at the wreckage sites.

In particular, in the Darnitsky district and in four areas in the Shevchenkivskiy district of the capital.”

Meanwhile, Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv city military administration, on Wednesday, said Russia using drones and missiles launched a “massive” attack on Kyiv on Tuesday night, CNN reported.

In a post shared on Telegram, Popko wrote, “Kyiv has not experienced such a powerful attack since spring.” He said several groups of drones travelled towards Kyiv “from different directions.” and later missiles were fired towards the city from Tu-95MS strategic bombers. Popko said that air defence forces destroyed over 20 “enemy targets,” according to CNN report.

Amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the US has announced an additional USD 250 million security assistance package for Kyiv, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday.

Blinken said the package includes air defence missiles, artillery ammunition, Javelin systems and rockets, and mine-clearing equipment. He stated that the US will also provide ambulances, spare parts, services, training, and transportation.

In a statement, Blinken said, “Today we are announcing the next package of military assistance to aid Ukraine as it defends its territory and protects its people. This package contains important capabilities to help Ukraine on the battlefield.”

He further said, “It includes AIM-9M missiles for air defence, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, mine-clearing equipment, Javelin and other anti-armour systems and rockets, over 3 million rounds of small arms ammunition, ambulances, demolition munitions for obstacle clearing, as well as spare parts, services, training, and transportation.”

On August 29, one person was killed in Ukraine’s Kupiansk due to Russian shelling, the governor of Ukraine’s Kharkiv oblast, Oleh Syniehubov said, according to Al Jazeera.

In a statement on his Telegram, Syniehubov said, “A 45-year-old civilian man died as a result of artillery shelling. The building of the meat processing plant where the deceased worked as a security guard was damaged.”

“An apartment building and a private household were also damaged in the city.

A 67-year-old man was wounded by shrapnel. He refused hospitalisation,” he said, according to Al Jazeera. (ANI)