“Both our countries are focussed on security. Both are focussed on countering terrorism dealing with the growing threat of Islamic extremism. We must focus on seeing how we can collaborate to better defend ourselves against the cyber attacks that are increasingly becoming a threat,” said the 33-year old, who is a combat veteran and also an ardent follower of the Bhagavad Gita.

Noting that Modi’s maiden visit to the US in September “energized the relationship between the two countries”, Gabbard said he had come with “a very clear vision and a plan to achieve his objective of where he would like to take India”.

She said Modi’s vision struck a chord not just with the Indian diaspora but generated interest “from people involved with politics, in the private sector and those who are looking to participate in what appears to be a very exciting time here in India”.

Gabbard, who was in India between Dec 16, 2014, and Jan 3, 2015, and met with Modi, Defence Minster Manohar Parrikar and Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar among a host of other leaders, said she always nurtured a special place for the land of Lord Krishna’s birth and hoped for greater understanding and respect for each others’ culture, traditions, and distinct style of doing business.

Gabbard was born into a multi-cultural and multi-religious family of parents with Samoan and European roots. Fourth among five siblings, Gabbard embraced Hinduism as a teenager and became a student of the Bhagavad Gita.

Drawing upon the relevance of the Gita in international politics, she said the teachings in the scripture “about karma yoga and bhakti yoga have great relevance in the world today for each of us individually as well as in tackling the great challenges that we face around the world.