President-elect Donald Trump announced the appointment of former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the next Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Tulsi is a first Hindu-American to be named for this intelligence role.
Amid her appointment, a video from 2014 is going viral, wherein Gabbard is seen meeting Indian PM Narendra Modi.
The ‘Namaste’
In the video, the congresswoman was seen greeting Modi with a traditional “namaste” and then giving him a personal copy of the Bhagavad Gita. Tulsi has supported some of Modi’s initiatives including the proposal for International Yoga Day at the United Nations.
A Hindu-American
Tulsi Gabbard, as many assumes, is not Indian origin, but a Hindu-American. Gabbard’s mother adopted Hinduism and named her children with Hindu names.
Gabbard, 42, was born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii, she made history in 2013 as the first Hindu member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district until 2021. She swears the congressional oath on the Bhagavad Gita.
PM Modi congratulated Gabbard on her new role via X (formerly Twitter). “Heartiest congratulations to my dear friend Tulsi Gabbard on her historic appointment as the Director of National Intelligence in the United States! Tulsi’s proud embrace of her Hindu faith and values has always been a source of deep connection between us, serving as a bridge to India’s rich culture and spiritual heritage”, Modi wrote.
