Tulsi Gabbards' India Connection: From Bhagavad Gita Gift to PM Modi to Kashmir Speech | World News

US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and new Republican, as director of national intelligence. Known for her skepticism of U.S. foreign policy and her background rooted in Hindu tradition, Gabbard brings a unique perspective to the issue. US-India relations. A lieutenant colonel with combat experience in Iraq, Gabbard's role as intelligence chief underscores Trump's shift toward foreign policy skeptics and voices who question traditional U.S. military interventions.
Tulsi Gabbard made history as the first Hindu to be elected to Congress. A lifelong vegetarian, she took the oath on Bhagavad Gitaa sacred Hindu text. She was raised as a Hindu by her mother, who had embraced the faith after being born on the American continent.
Representing Hawaii, Gabbard became not only the first Hindu member of the House, but also the first American Samoan to serve in Congress.
Offering Bhagavad Gita to PM Modi
In 2014, Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu-American congresswoman, pledged to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to establish an International Day of Yoga. In a statement, Gabbard expressed her commitment to leading Congress's efforts, saying, “I promised to take the lead in passing a resolution to support Prime Minister Modi's appeal at the UN.” Gabbard and Modi agreed that yoga transcends physical exercise, serving as a “lifestyle consciousness and worldview” that can improve health, promote peace and offer solutions to global challenges. Gabbard also noted: “The West would be surprised by the vast knowledge that the ancient Vedic texts offer to the modern world. » Their meeting in New York included discussions on shared priorities, such as countering extremism and promoting cooperation between the United States and India.

She gifted Prime Minister Modi a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, a personal memento she cherished since childhood. Gabbard also expressed strong support for Modi's proposal to establish an International Day of Yoga.
On Kashmir: “A complex situation”
In her remarks on Kashmir, Gabbard said the situation is far from simple, highlighting the region's historical and cultural complexities. She emphasized that understanding Kashmir requires recognizing its past and the experiences of those who have been displaced.
“It is important as a foreigner to understand the complex history of Kashmir,” she said, adding that many families fled their homes and still cannot return. She reflected on how the region's policies have historically limited rights, particularly those of women. According to her, recent changes have raised both hope and concern, particularly regarding human rights and civil liberties. However, Gabbard stressed that the ultimate resolution must come from India, saying: “this is a situation in a sovereign country that must be resolved by all parties who have an interest in their own future there “.
On his Hindu identity
As a Hindu in American politics, Gabbard has faced unique challenges and frequent allegations of “Hindu nationalism”. In an opinion piece for ReligionNews, she shared her frustration with this stereotype and condemned what she calls religious bigotry in American society. She argued that the support from people of diverse faiths, Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist, is a testament to her inclusive approach.
Today, it’s the profiling and targeting of Hindu Americans. Tomorrow, will Muslim or Jewish Americans be targeted? she asked, suggesting a dangerous precedent for racial and religious profiling. She noted that her political opponents have often stoked fear because of her faith, recalling statements made by her Republican opponents in previous elections that Hinduism was incompatible with the U.S. Constitution. Gabbard warned against such divisive rhetoric, saying religious fanaticism and attempts to foment fear of Hindus and other minority religions persist.
On the Bhagavad Gita
On Janmashtami, she described the Gita as a “transcendental lifeline” that brings hope and wisdom in times of uncertainty. Reflecting on the challenging year of 2020, she urged others to draw strength from the Gita, saying the scriptures offer a way to stay grounded amid the strong and turbulent winds of change in life.
Gabbard explained how the Gita guided her through difficult times, including during her military deployment. The Bhagavad Gita offers us guidance and hope, she noted, emphasizing the timeless relevance of the scripture and its role in providing a spiritual perspective that transcends daily struggles.
Condemnation of religious violence in Bangladesh
In 2021, violent mobs targeting Hindu communities erupted across Bangladesh during the Durga Puja festival. Gabbard shared her concerns regarding religious tolerance extending beyond India to neighboring Bangladesh. In a video statement, she condemned violence directed against Hindu worshipers by Islamist extremists, saying such acts reflect a deep misunderstanding of religious values. It broke my heart to see such hatred and violence, she said, urging the Bangladesh government to protect its religious minorities, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists, from jihadist forces. hate.
According to Gabbard, these acts of violence betray the fundamental tenets of the faith, affirming that God is love and that his true servants embody and manifest that love in the world. His comments reflect his broader call for respect and protection of religious minorities around the world.