New Delhi:
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held bilateral talks with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Sunday and chaired a conclave of top global intelligence leaders. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation to address various security challenges, including terrorism and threats posed by emerging technologies.
During their one-on-one meeting, Doval and Gabbard primarily explored ways to strengthen intelligence sharing and align their efforts in the security domain, in line with the India-US global strategic partnership.
Gabbard arrived in New Delhi early Sunday for a two-and-a-half-day visit, marking the first high-level trip to India by a senior official from the Donald Trump administration. Sources described the Doval-Gabbard meeting as a "good discussion."
The India-hosted security conclave also included Canadian spy chief Daniel Rogers and UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, among other top global intelligence officials. The closed-door deliberations reportedly centered on intelligence sharing, countering terrorism, and addressing threats from emerging technologies.
The discussions also touched on security in the Indo-Pacific region, efforts to combat terror financing and money laundering, and issues related to extradition and immigration. The Indian side raised concerns about anti-India elements operating from foreign soil, including pro-Khalistan groups.
Intelligence chiefs from Australia, Germany, New Zealand, and several other friendly nations were also present at the conclave.
Gabbard’s visit to India is part of a multi-nation tour that includes Japan, Thailand, and France. She is scheduled to address the Raisina Dialogue on Tuesday. Last month, she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Washington, DC.
The intelligence chiefs also discussed global challenges, including the implications of the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East.
The visit by Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) chief Daniel Rogers comes amid strained relations between India and Canada over the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case. Tensions escalated in September 2023 when then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar’s killing on Canadian soil. India dismissed the allegations as "absurd."
Relations further deteriorated later in the year when Ottawa linked several Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, to Nijjar’s murder. In October, Canada expelled Verma and five other diplomats, prompting India to expel Canadian Charge d’Affaires Stewart Wheeler and five other diplomats. The Nijjar case is expected to be discussed during Doval’s conversation with Rogers.
This is Gabbard’s second foreign trip since assuming the role of US Director of National Intelligence. Her first international visit was to Germany last month for the Munich Security Conference.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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