Trump greets Indians on Diwali; says festival binds people together
Washington: US President Donald Trump on Sunday greeted the Indian community on the occasion of Diwali, saying that the observance of the festival of lights throughout America is important and binds people together.
"As we light diyas here today our nation is strengthened by the sacred traditions that binds people together across our land. May this light bring hope to all and may everyone have a wonderful Diwali," Trump said in video he tweeted on twitter.
"As Diwali commences, @FLOTUS Melania and I wish those observing the Festival of Lights a blessed and happy celebration! #HappyDiwal," Trump said.
On Friday Trump celebrated Diwali in the Oval Office with a small group of Indian-Americans. The event was closed for the press.
Trump's first Diwali celebrations at the White House was in his Oval Office in 2017 in the presence of a select group of Indian-American community leaders and members of his administration.
Last year, Trump invited the then Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Singh Sarna, for the Diwali celebrations in the Roosevelt room.
Diwali is also being celebrated in other parts of the US. Texas Governor Greg Abbott celebrated Diwali on Saturday with the Indian-American community.
"We lit Diwali lamps on display in the Governor's Mansion. We discussed Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi's visit to Texas. We celebrated the victory of light over darkness," he said in a tweet.
Republican Congressman from Texas Pete Olson also tweeted, "Celebrating Diwali at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir."
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Does PM Modi support head of state's assassination as way to define world order: Rahul
New Delhi (PTI): Amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi must speak up and answer as to whether he supports the assassination of a head of state as a way to define the world order.
He said the unilateral attacks on Iran, as well as Iran's attacks on other Middle Eastern nations, must be condemned.
"Silence now diminishes India’s standing in the world," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said on X.
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His remarks come days after Iran confirmed that its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had been assassinated in targeted strikes carried out the previous day by the United States and Israel.
Gandhi said escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran are pushing a fragile region toward wider conflict.
Crores of people, including nearly a crore Indians, face uncertainty, he said.
"While security concerns are real, attacks that violate sovereignty will only worsen the crisis. The unilateral attacks on Iran, as well as Iran's attacks on other Middle Eastern nations, must be condemned. Violence begets violence -- dialogue and restraint remain the only path to peace," the former Congress chief said.
"India must be morally clear. We should have the courage to speak plainly in defence of international law and human lives. Our foreign policy is rooted in sovereignty and the peaceful resolution of disputes -- and it must remain consistent," Gandhi said.
He said PM Modi must speak up.
Does he support the assassination of a head of state as a way to define the world order, Gandhi asked.
The United States and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday, with US President Donald Trump calling on the Iranian public to seize control of their destiny and rise against the Islamic leadership that has ruled their country since 1979.
