January 31, 2026 04:16 pm (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
Big setback for Modi govt: Supreme Court stays controversial UGC Equity Regulations 2026 amid student protests | ‘Mother of all deals’: PM Modi says India–EU FTA is for 'ambitious India' | Delhi HC snubs Sameer Wankhede’s defamation plea over Aryan Khan's Netflix series | Maharashtra in shock: Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash — funeral sees emotional gathering of political heavyweights | India, Canada eye 10-year uranium pact during PM Carney’s March visit | 'None will be harassed': Dharmendra Pradhan breaks silence as UGC rules trigger student protests | Massive student uprising rocks Modi govt over new UGC rules on caste discrimination | Ajit Pawar no more: Maharashtra Deputy CM dies in Baramati plane crash | India, EU sign historic trade deal | ‘Dear Indian Friends’: Macron’s Republic Day message to India melts hearts
Image: twitter.com/realDonaldTrump

Donald Trump celebrates Diwali at White House, calls Modi a friend

| @indiablooms | Nov 14, 2018, at 11:04 am

Washington, Nov 14 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump has referred to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "friend" while celebrating Hindu festival Diwali at the White House on Tuesday.

Trump said he is "grateful" for his friendship with Modi. He said: "The United States has deep ties with the nation of India and I am grateful for my friendship with Prime Minister Modi..."

"I have great respect for Prime Minister Modi..I have tremendous respect," the President said after lighting the lamps.

Tweeting some of the pictures where the President could be seen lighting lamps, Trump said: "Today, we gathered for Diwali, a holiday observed by Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains throughout the United States & around the world. Hundreds of millions of people have gathered with family & friends to light the Diya and to mark the beginning of a New Year."

"It was my great honor to host a celebration of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, in the Roosevelt Room at the @WhiteHouse this afternoon. Very, very special people!"

Referring to India as a "good negotiator", Trump said the trade talks between the two countries are underway.

He said: "....they (India) are very good traders, they are very good negotiators...the best, so we are working and its moving along."

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.