Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard exchanged special gifts during their meeting on Monday (Mar 17), symbolising India’s culture and heritage.

Advertisment

Leaders exchange special gifts

The two leaders exchanged presents, which are believed to be sacred.

PM Modi presented Gabbard with a vase containing the holy water from the sacred Ganga River from the recently concluded Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. It is believed that bathing in the sacred water of Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, during the Maha Kumbh festival helps in cleansing sins and brings salvation.

Advertisment

Also read | ‘Direct dialogue is happening at the very top’: US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard on US-India tariff issue

Gabbard also presented PM Modi with a thoughtful gift. She gifted him a Tulsi mala or Tulsi rosary, saying, “This is a gift from me and my new position as Director. This is from Tulsi ji, a Tulsi mala.”

The gifts symbolise the spiritual and cultural significance of India while also showing strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

Advertisment

Also read | PM Modi meets Tulsi Gabbard hours after India raises concerns with US over Khalistani terror

PM Modi and Gabbard meet

PM Modi and Gabbard discussed strategies to strengthen collaboration in addressing challenges like cybersecurity and terrorism. They also talked about shaping the vision for a robust India-US partnership.

Also read | India raises concerns over Khalistani terror, Sikhs For Justice in meeting with Tulsi Gabbard

This meeting marked the second meeting between the Indian prime minister and the US intelligence chief. The two held talks in February during PM Modi’s US visit to Washington. During his visit, PM Modi also met with US President Donald Trump and other key members of the cabinet.

Earlier in the day, Gabbard met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and had talks focusing on enhancing the overall India-US strategic ties, particularly in areas of defence and information sharing.

Also read | Tulsi Gabbard meets India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

The US intelligence chief also met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Sunday (Mar 16) to discuss the Indo-US relationship. She is currently on a two-and-a-half-day trip to India as part of a multi-nation visit and arrived in the national capital early Sunday (Mar 16).

(With inputs from agencies)