'Impressed...': FM Nirmala Sitharaman Congratulates Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's Pick For US Intel Chief

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman extended greetings to Tulsi Gabbard, a Hindu American chosen by US President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Director of National Intelligence in his ministration.

Extending good wishes to Gabbard (43), Nirmala Sitharaman hailed her 21 years of service to US Army.

Taking to X, Sitharaman wrote, "Congratulations @TulsiGabbard on being selected to serve as Director of National Intelligence. For 21 yrs you served USA as a soldier becoming a Lt. Colonel in Army Reserve(sic)."

65-year-old also mentioned that she was impressed by clarity of Gabbard's thoughts. Sitharaman also shared some pictures from her past interactions with Gabbard.

"In my few interactions with you, have been impressed by clarity of your thoughts and dedication. Good wishes(sic)," Sitharaman furr wrote.

Former Democratic Party leer, Tulsi Gabbard h switched sides from Democrats to back Donald Trump's reelection. 43-year-old would in her new role supervise coordination of 18 intelligence agencies.

Who is Tulsi Gabbard?

A Hindu American, Tulsi Gabbard has mixed racial heritage, with her far being of Samoan and European ancestry, while her mor was from Indiana. 

Born in Leloaloa in American Samoa on April 12, 1981, she was named Tulsi by her mor, who became interested in Hinduism. 43-year-old was born to Carol and Mike Gabbard. She was raised in Brahma Mhwa Gaudiya Sampraya that her mor opted after taking to Krishna movement in US. She received education from Hawaii Pacific University in Hawaii's Honolulu. 

She began her political innings in 2002 when she was elected to Hawaii House of Representatives at age of 21, making her youngest legislator elected in Hawaii's history and youngest woman ever elected to a US state legislature. A year later, in 2003, she joined Hawaii Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq for a year. She remained a part of Hawaii Army National Guard from 2003 to 2020. reafter she joined United States Army Reserve in 2020 and serves it till present date.

She hit helines in 2019 after launching her 2020 presidential campaign, becoming first female combat veteran to run for President. However, in March 2020, Gabbard dropped out of race and endorsed Joe Biden . In 2022, Gabbard left Democratic Party and identified as an independent.

Gabbard h tied knot with cinematographer Abraham Williams in a Vedic ceremony in her home state of Hawaii back in 2015. wedding event was witnessed many US lawmakers and dignitaries from India, including former BJP general secretary Ram Mhav.

Gabbard has also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi back in 2014 in US. Gabbard was also looped in to help Trump sharpen his attacks on Kamala Harris during his Presidential debate before elections.