Raisina Dialogue: Aloha! Namaste! What's Tulsi Gabbard's message to India?

Nearly two weeks before US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs on India and other countries come into force, one of his top officials landed in Delhi. US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard arrived in India on Sunday as part of her multi-nation trip to the Indo-Pacific regions. Though her visit was focused on security, terrorism, crime and intelligence, it spread a lot of cheer amid apprehensions about Trump's tariff stance on India. Since Trump's unpredictable decision-making can even stump his allies, India is treading the tariff terrain with wariness, trying to seal a trade deal with the US which can avert a tariff war, and possibly also save India from April 2 reciprocal tariffs even if the deal is finalised months later.Tulsi's visit, which was marked by her meetings with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi besides her address at the Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, brought optimism for the India-US ties amid apprehensions and uncertainties.Gabbard's Hindu heritage comes to the foreSince India sees a close ally in Gabbard due to her Hindu heritage and her hard stance on terrorism, her Hindu faith was foregrounded during her visit. During his meeting with Gabbard, PM Modi gifted her Ganga Jal from the recently concluded Maha Kumbh, while the US intelligence chief gifted PM Modi tulsi beads. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath thanked PM Modi for gifting Maha Kumbh Ganga Jal to Gabbard. She was the second foreign leader, after Mauritian President Dharam Gokhool, to whom the PM gifted Kumbh Ganga Jal.Gabbard signaled her shared religious faith with India by talking about the Bhagavad Gita. In an interview with ANI, she said how Lord Krishna's teachings to Arjuna have been a source of strength and guidance for her. "Whether serving in war zones in different parts of the world or the challenges that we face now, it is (Lord) Krishna's teachings to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita that I turn to in the best of times and the worst of times," Gabbard said.In 2012, Gabbard created history by becoming the first Hindu-American to have entered the US House of Representatives, winning her Hawaii seat.Gabbard also candidly spoke about persecution of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. She said the US was deeply concerned about the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh and the Trump administration was committed to defeat "Islamist terrorism" globally. She noted that PM Modi also took this threat seriously and added that the two leaders would work together to identify and defeat the threat. She spoke about the ideology of "Islamic Caliphate" and how extremist elements and terror groups globally aimed for such an outcome. Gabbard's remarks were a strong indictment of Mohammad Yunus-led interim regime in Dhaka which had enjoyed support from the Biden administration.Tulsi's assuring message amid apprehensionsTrump's sledgehammer approach to trade has caused a lot of anxiety and alarm in India even though Trump and PM Modi are seen to be close friends. Early this month, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal had rushed to the US to prepare groundwork for a trade deal with the US which can exempt India from tariffs. Though the deal is in the works, Trump's reciprocal tariffs on all countries including India are set to take effect from April 2. India hopes to evade these tariffs in view of the deal being worked out, but given Trump's unpredictable policy stance, there is no certainty.Amid this unease in New Delhi, Gabbard came with a reassuring message, though her visit was not related to tariffs and trade. Opening her address at the Raisina Dialogue 2025 today, she greeted the audience with “Good morning, aloha, namaste, Jai Shri Krishna". She said that Aloha and Namaste are not just greetings but both have very deep spiritual and powerful meaning.Gabbard's message of India-US alliance through Aloha and Namaste was emphasised as she spoke of special friendship between PM Modi and President Trump. She described the Modi-Trump meeting in Washington DC as "reconnection of two old friends". "I am confident that this partnership and friendship between our two countries will continue to grow," she said."The tone and the relationship with our new administration under President Trump and Prime Minister Modi was set during Prime Minister Modi's visit to the White House. As you know, they are already good friends. It was a very great opportunity for them to share their joint vision for the US-India partnership and the opportunity for us to continue to strengthen that partnership," she said."Prime Minister Modi is looking out for what is in the best interest of India's economy and the opportunities available to the people of India. Similarly, President Trump is doing the same for the United States, our economic interests and the interests of the American people," she added.On tariffs, Gabbard said that "direct dialogue is happening at the very top" to bolster relations, and that President Trump and PM Modi are seeking "good solutions". "What I have heard from Indian government officials I have spoken to in the last few days is that there is an opportunity to see more potential for strengthening our economic relationship. I am glad to see that they are viewing it in a more positive light, rather than focusing solely on the negative aspect of tariffs," she said."So, what I see as a great positive is that we have two leaders who have common sense and who are looking for good solutions. This direct dialogue happening at the very top in both of our countries but also at the different secretaries and the cabinet members is going to be key to lay down what that path forward really looks like," said Gabbard.Though Tulsi was not in New Delhi to talk trade and tariffs, her positivity about the future of overall India-US ties did convey a reassuring message amid apprehensions about tariffs. Her underlining of strong Modi-Trump friendship signaled an enabling atmosphere for trade negotiations which can benefit both the countries. Her message of Aloha and Namaste will surely calm nerves in New Delhi.(With inputs from agencies)