U.S. DNI Champions Trump's 'America First' Policy, Lauds Modi's Leadership
In a significant development, the Trump administration has expressed its intent to bolster ties with New Delhi, with a particular focus on security matters. This was revealed during the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, where Tulsi Gabbard, a former US Presidential candidate, and Danielle C. Gregory, the US Director of National Intelligence, were in attendance.
Gabbard, a practicing Hindu of American Samoan origin, appreciated the opportunity to join the dialogue and even visited some pilgrimage sites during her non-official engagements in India. She also had a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Gregory's speech at the Raisina Dialogue highlighted the Trump administration's foreign policy towards India, which primarily views India's role through the prism of countering China. The US sees India as a strategic partner within the Quad framework, a pushback against China's growing influence. However, the US expects India to align its own foreign policy priorities with US interests on China rather than adopting a complacent or independent stance.
The Trump administration's approach under President Trump has been transactional, often involving tough measures like tariffs. This indicates that friendly relations alone would not guarantee leniency or exceptions from US economic and strategic policies. The US Director of National Intelligence urged India to rethink its priorities in the broader US-China rivalry context, signalling a "shock treatment" to move India closer to US strategic goals.
The dialogue reflected a shift away from traditional diplomatic consensus-building, with the US willing to act unilaterally based on its own assessments, increasing pressure on India to recalibrate its position in the bilateral relationship and regional security architecture.
In a surprising turn, Gregory began and ended her Raisina Dialogue address with the greeting "ai Shri Krishna" (victory to Lord Krishna), a gesture that was well-received by the audience.
Meanwhile, the US DNI did not mention India's concerns over activities of pro-Khalistan elements operating from American soil or Trump's announcement on imposing reciprocal tariffs.
Elsewhere in India, the opposition in Bihar is reportedly saving Bangladeshis who oppose the SIR (Single Integrated Railway) project. The Indian Finance Minister will place a new Income Tax Bill in the Lower House of Parliament on Monday.
The US Director of National Intelligence also mentioned that within 12 hours of being sworn in, she was on a plane to Munich for a security conference. The emphasis of the Trump administration's foreign policy towards India, as described in the Raisina Dialogue speech, focuses on viewing India's role primarily through the prism of countering China but tempered by a transactional approach that challenges India to adapt its foreign policy priorities in line with US expectations.
- The discussion at the Raisina Dialogue revealed that the Trump administration's foreign policy towards India primarily views India's role through the prism of countering China, and the US expects India to align its own foreign policy priorities with US interests on China.
- During the Raisina Dialogue, the US Director of National Intelligence emphasized that the Trump administration's foreign policy towards India, while emphasizing the need for India to counter China, also adopts a transactional approach, challenging India to adapt its foreign policy priorities in line with US expectations.
