She described the Modi-Trump meeting in Washington DC as a “reconnection of two old friends”.”Obviously, that’s a personal friendship, but it’s one that is indicative of their approach to leadership and their priorities of listening to the needs of their respective people, setting policy and taking action towards serving their best interests,” she said.Gabbard briefly mentioned the India-US economic partnership in the context of cooperation in critical and emerging technologies.She suggested that proposed collaboration in these areas was laid out in the COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology) initiative unveiled last month by the two leaders.”I think there’s a huge opportunity for continued growth and continued investment in our mutual interests,” she said.On Monday, Gabbard held talks with Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.In his meeting with Gabbard, Singh conveyed to her India’s concerns over the activities of Khalistani separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) on American soil and urged her to declare it as a designated terrorist entity.Singh also apprised her about SFJ’s alleged links with Pakistani spy agency ISI as well as its “collaboration” with Babbar Khalsa militant group, and pressed for action against it, according to sources.Gabbard held extensive talks with NSA Ajit Doval on Sunday.
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