US President Trump to celebrate Diwali in White House on Thursday

United States President Donald Trump will celebrate Diwali at the White House on Thursday, three days ahead of the celebrations in India. This will be President Trump's third Diwali celebration in the White House. According to the White House, President Donald Trump will participate in the ceremonial 'diya' lighting on Thursday. 

Donald Trump celebrates Diwali

Donald Trump first celebrated Diwali in the oval office in 2017 with a group of Indian American leaders and a few administration members. In 2018, Trump invited the then Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Singh Sarna, for the Diwali celebrations in the Roosevelt room.

President Obama started Diwali celebrations in the White House

Diwali celebrations in the White House began with President Obama in 2009. 

"This year, I was honoured to kindle the first-ever diya in the Oval Office a lamp that symbolises how darkness will always be overcome by light. It is a tradition that I hope future Presidents will continue," Obama said on the White House Facebook page, which became viral on the social media.

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Other American politicians who celebrated Diwali 

Apart from Donald Trump, Texas Governor Greg Abbott celebrated Diwali on Saturday with the Indian-American community. Another Congressman from Republican also celebrated Diwali and tweeted "Celebrating Diwali at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir."

In his Diwali celebrations of 2017 and 2018, Donald Trump spoke about his relationship 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," he said during 2018 Diwali celebrations. The celebrations come just a month after Texas hosted Prime Minister Modi in the biggest event held on US soil. The 'Howdy Modi' event witnessed a strong 50,000 Indo-American crowd in support of America's ties with India.   

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