Trump hosts Diwali celebration at White House with Indian diaspora
Guests included India's ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, and chef Vikas Khanna, with diyas and a Hanuman Chalisa recitation.
Key facts
Story- Donald Trump took part in a Diwali celebration at the White House on 6 November.
- Vinay Kwatra, India's ambassador to the US, was among the guests at the Oval Office event.
- The event included diyas and a reading of the Hanuman Chalisa, and chef Vikas Khanna attended.
US President Donald Trump took part in a Diwali celebration at the White House, the Hindu festival of lights, with members of the Indian diaspora. India's ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, attended the event at the Oval Office.
The celebration featured diyas, traditional oil lamps lit for Diwali, and a recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, a devotional prayer dedicated to the Hindu deity Hanuman. Chef Vikas Khanna was also present.
The White House has marked Diwali with a celebration for some years. The tradition began under President George W Bush in 2003. Each administration since has continued to host the event, which brings together Indian American community members, officials and diplomats.
The presence of the Indian ambassador underlines the close ties the two countries have built around their large diaspora communities and shared economic and strategic interests.
Diwali is a major festival in India, and the White House event gives visibility to the community of Indian Americans, one of the largest diaspora groups in the US.
The full guest list has not been published.
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