United States President Donald Trump hosted Diwali celebrations at the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Tuesday (local time).
United States President Donald Trump hosted Diwali celebrations at the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Tuesday (local time).
"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," he tweeted.
He started the celebration by remembering those who have lost their lives in the California wildfires, and said, "We mourn the lives of those lost and we pray for the victims. And there are more victims than anybody would ever even think possible. I want to thank the firefighters and FEMA and first responders for their incredible courage in the face of very grave danger."
Trump further highlighted that he had signed a disaster declaration for the state of California on Monday to do everything to "support and protect our fellow citizens in harm's way".
"Our nation is blessed to be home to millions of hardworking citizens of Indian and Southeast Asian heritage who enrich our country in countless ways. Together, we are one proud American family," Trump said while addressing a small gathering made up of prominent Indians in America, including Ajit Pai, the Chairman of Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Seema Verma, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator, and
Neil Chatterjee, the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, amongst others.
He also highlighted his decision to nominate Neomi Rao, the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, to be on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, the official announcement for which is expected on November 14 (local time).
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described India as "very good negotiators" as he celebrated Diwali in the White House along with top Indian-Americans and said he is "grateful" for his friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"The United States has deep ties to the nation of India and I am grateful for my friendship with Prime Minister Modi," Trump said before lighting the ceremonial Diya in the historic Roosevelt Room of the White House. It is the second consecutive year that Trump has celebrated the largest festival of India and Indian Americans in the White House.
"We're trying very hard to make better trade deals with India. But, they're very good traders. They're very good negotiators. You would say right. The best. So we're working. And it's moving along," Trump said referring to the India-US trade deal negotiations that have started between the two largest democracies of the world.
1. Donald Trump celebrates Diwali along with India’s Ambassador to the US Arun Singh
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US President Donald Trump participates in the Diwali ceremonial lighting of the Diya as India’s Ambassador to the US Arun Singh (R) looks on in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, US November 13, 2018.
Photo Credits: Reuters
2. Trump lights the diya on the Diwali lighting ceremony
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US President Donald Trump participates in the Diwali ceremonial lighting of the Diya as India’s Ambassador to the US Arun Singh (R) looks on in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, US November 13, 2018.
Photo Credits: Reuters
3. Official Embassy of India in Washington hosts Diwali celebrations in White House
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India in USA: Celebration of Diwali at State Department of US on Monday, November 5 2018
Photo Credits: Twitter
4. Trump nominates Neomi Rao for the seat of DC Circuit Federal Court of Appeals during the Diwali celebrations
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Trump administration regulatory czar Neomi Rao (C) reacts after US President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate her to fill Brett Kavanaugh's former seat on the DC Circuit Federal Court of Appeals during the Diwali ceremonial lighting of the Diya at the White House in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2018.
Photo Credits: AFP
5. Diwali ceremonial lighting of the Diya at the White House in Washington
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US President Donald Trump speaks during the Diwali ceremonial lighting of the Diya at the White House in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2018.
Photo Credits: AFP
6. This is a symbol of people-to-people connect between India and the US
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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service Administrator Seema Verma (L) speaks with US President Donald Trump (C) and Indian Ambassador to the United States Navtej Sarna (3rd R) after lighting the Diya during the Diwali ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2018.
7. It was my great honor to host a celebration of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, in the Roosevelt Room
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"It was my great honor to host a celebration of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House this afternoon. Very, very special people!"
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! https://t.co/kQk7IvpSFo pic.twitter.com/tYlBABg4JF
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
