Copyright Salt Lake City Deseret News
President Donald Trump hosted a Diwali celebration in the Oval Office on Tuesday evening. “What a wonderful culture and what a wonderful group of people,” Trump said as he walked to his desk in the Oval Office. High-level Indian-origin members of the Trump administration, namely National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, FBI Director Kash Patel and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice Harmeet Dhillon, joined to mark the joyous occasion celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. Indian-origin executives from companies like IBM, Micron Technology and Adobe, as well as Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Vinay Mohan Kwatra and freshly sworn-in U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor were also present. “I just spoke to your Prime Minister today. We had a great conversation,” Trump said of Indian PM Narendra Modi. “We talked about trade. We talked about a lot of things but mostly the world of trade. He’s very interested in that.” “He’s a great person and he’s become a great friend of mine over the years,” Trump’s aide said. In a few moments, we’ll light the Diya as a symbol of faith in the victory of light over darkness. It’s a beautiful term, light over darkness. Trump again claimed Modi has agreed not to buy oil from Russia. As Indian officials pushed back on this narrative, the White House has doubled down on the 50% tariffs it currently imposes on New Delhi. “He wants to see that war end as much as I do,” Trump added. The president lit a diya, an oil lamp that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, while standing next to Patel. “The glow of the Diya flame reminds us to seek the path of wisdom and to work with diligence and to always give thanks for our many blessings. And we do have many blessings,” Trump said before touting the strong economy and protected border under his leadership. Many of the attendees offered their gratitude. Among them was Patel. “Indian Americans around the world and Indians around the world are thrilled that you are such a profound leader in sharing this diversity with the world and we can’t thank you enough,” he said. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna also gave a few remarks, saying, “In the spirit of Diwali, we should also acknowledge all that the president and the administration are doing to really boost technology innovation and that leading to economic growth.” “I want to point out people often forget how much public and private partnerships in the United States have mattered to boost technology,” he continued. That includes space, internet, semiconductors and “hopefully quantum down the road.”
