Washington: US President Donald Trump hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House, marking the Hindu festival of lights with a small gathering of senior officials, diplomats, and business leaders from the Indian-American community. Seated in the Oval Office, President Trump lit the ceremonial diya, calling the lamp "a symbol of faith in the victory of light over darkness."
He noted that Diwali reminds us of the triumph of knowledge over ignorance and good over evil, extending his warmest wishes to the people of India. Attendees included the Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, new US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, and Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. FBI Director Kash Patel, a first-generation Indian-American, praised the event, saying it showed the administration sharing the strength of diversity with the world.
Following the ceremony, Trump told reporters he had a "great conversation" with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier that day, focusing mostly on trade. He also asserted that Modi had assured him India was significantly scaling back its oil imports from Russia, claiming, "He wants to see the war [in Ukraine] end, and they’ve cut their imports way back." Modi later confirmed the call on X, thanking Trump for his "warm Diwali greetings" and expressing hope that the two democracies would continue to illuminate the world with hope and "stand united against terrorism in all its forms." Trump also briefly revisited his earlier claim about mediating tensions between India and Pakistan.