Tulsi Gabbard says U.S. wants other nations to act against Houthis too

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US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, meets India’s Prime Minister Narendra on sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue, March 17, 2025. PHOTO: X @DrSJaishankar

March 17, 2025, (Bloomberg) —  The US wants countries impacted by trade disruptions from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea to take action against the militia after US President Donald Trump ordered military strikes against the group, a top US intelligence official said.

“Our country and other countries should not be in a position to reroute commerce going through that area simply because of the threat that exists,” Tulsi Gabbard, US director of national intelligence, said in an interview with Indian broadcaster NDTV during her visit to New Delhi.

Trump has taken decisive steps to combat the issue and “we will look to other affected countries, as there are many impacted by this, to similarly take action,” Gabbard said.

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The US president on Saturday ordered military airstrikes against sites in Yemen controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia, killing at least 31 people.

India was among the countries affected by the Houthi piracy attacks in the Red Sea, which is a major route for trade with Europe. Repeated attacks by the Houthis had forced several countries and shipping companies to avoid the Red Sea and go around southern Africa, a costlier option.

Gabbard is in New Delhi this week to attend the Raisina Dialogue, an annual security and geopolitical conference, which this year includes speakers like New Zealand’s prime minister and Ukraine’s foreign minister. Gabbard met with India’s defense minister and will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her visit.