NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON D.C.: Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked US President Donald Trump on Wednesday for his personal phone call and warm Diwali wishes. He also said he hoped for more democratic unity throughout the world.
The Prime Minister wrote in a post on X (previously Twitter) that he was happy to hear from the President.
“Thank you, President Trump, for calling and sending warm Diwali wishes. On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies keep shining hope around the world and stand together against all forms of terrorism.
This conversation is the most recent example of the two leaders getting along, and it happened just a day after President Trump held a party at the White House.
Diwali Parties and Praise for the Prime Minister of India
President Trump held a Diwali party in the Oval Office on Tuesday. He lighted a diya (earthen lamp) there. The President talked about how important the celebration is, saying that the Diya stands for “the victory of light over darkness,” “knowledge over ignorance,” and “good over evil.” He said that the warmth of the flame inspires people who are celebrating “to seek the path of wisdom and to work hard.”
President Trump praised PM Modi a lot when he spoke to reporters at the ceremony. He said he had a “great conversation” with him earlier that day. He called Modi a “great person” and said, “he’s become a great friend of mine over the years.”
The President also sent out an official letter on Monday to all Americans celebrating the “Festival of Lights.” He called it a timeless reminder of the victory of light and a time for community, hope, and regeneration.
Disputed Statement About the India-Pakistan Conflict
Trump said that much of the talk between the two presidents was on trade, but they also talked briefly about the security situation between India and Pakistan.
Trade Focus: Trump said that PM Modi was “very interested in trade,” which is a reference to the talks happening on for a new trade deal between the two countries.
Controversially, the US President reaffirmed his allegation that he used the commercial connection to ease tensions between India and Pakistan. He said, “We did talk a little while ago about not having any wars with Pakistan.” I was able to talk about it since trade was involved. And we aren’t at war with Pakistan or India. That was a very, very excellent thing.
The Indian government, on the other hand, has always and firmly claimed that no third party was engaged in the ceasefire agreement with Pakistan. After India started Operation Sindoor in May against extremist infrastructure, tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors rose. This came after a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir in April. S. Jaishankar, the Minister of External Affairs, has made it clear in Parliament and outside of it that the end of hostilities was due to the Pakistani Director General of Military Operations contacting his Indian counterpart during a four-day war.