President Donald Trump marked the vibrant festival of Diwali at the White House, extending heartfelt greetings to India and the Indian-American community. During the auspicious occasion, he lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a ‘great person’ and a ‘great friend,’ underscoring the robust trade and regional peace initiatives between the United States and India. Trump shared details of a recent conversation with PM Modi, mentioning their discussions on trade and averting conflict with Pakistan. He described the dialogue as positive, stating, ‘We have no war with Pakistan and India. That was a very, very good thing.’ He further expressed, ‘he (PM Modi) is a great person, and he has become a great friend of mine over the years.’ The President emphasized Diwali’s symbolic essence, explaining that the lighting of the diya represents the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. He noted that the festival’s narratives often recount victories over adversaries and the overcoming of obstacles. Following his address, President Trump participated in the traditional lighting of the diyas. The event was attended by several prominent officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel and Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra, alongside influential Indian-American business leaders, illustrating the deepening engagement between the two nations. Earlier, US Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Brian Fitzpatrick had introduced a bipartisan resolution in the House of Representatives to acknowledge Diwali’s significant religious and historical importance, honoring the contributions of the over three million Indian-Americans who celebrate the festival. Krishnamoorthi highlighted Diwali as a celebration of light’s victory over darkness and encouraged unity, while Fitzpatrick spoke of the universal values of hope and strength embodied by the festival. The resolution also recognized Diwali’s significance for Sikh and Jain communities, referencing Guru Hargobind’s release and Lord Mahavira’s Nirvana, respectively. The five-day festival, encompassing Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, the main Diwali celebration with Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj, was implicitly honored through this White House observance, symbolizing the strong cultural ties between the US and India.
