Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump on Wednesday for his Diwali greetings, emphasizing the importance of the two nations standing united against terrorism in all forms. During a Diwali celebration at the White House, Trump noted that he had a productive conversation with Modi earlier, mentioning their ongoing efforts to forge significant deals between India and the U.S. “I just spoke to your Prime Minister today. We had a great conversation. We talked about trade, and he’s very interested in that,” Trump stated.
Modi thanked Trump via X, stating, “On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope and stand united against terrorism in all its forms.” During the celebration, Trump praised Modi as “a great person” and expressed his affection for the people of India. The event was attended by notable figures, including Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra, the new US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, and several Indian-origin business leaders.
In a symbolic gesture, Trump lit a diya in the Oval Office, declaring it “a symbol of faith in the victory of light over darkness,” and extended his warmest wishes to India. However, the celebration was not without controversy, as Trump reiterated claims about resolving tensions between India and Pakistan, which India challenged, stating that a ceasefire was only reached after a request from the Pakistani military.
Trump also addressed India’s procurement of Russian crude oil, claiming that Modi indicated India would reduce its purchases significantly. “I spoke to Prime Minister Modi…. He’s not gonna buy much oil from Russia. He wants to see that war end as much as I do,” Trump said, referencing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. There was no immediate reaction from New Delhi regarding Trump’s remarks, and previous communications suggested that Modi did not convey plans to halt Russian oil imports.
Tensions have recently strained relations between New Delhi and Washington, particularly after Trump imposed steep tariffs on India, including additional levies on imports of Russian crude. India characterized these actions as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” In a recent meeting, US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor affirmed the importance of the US-India relationship, having engaged in talks with several senior Indian officials before meeting Modi.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/10/23/after-talks-with-trump-modi-calls-for-united-fight-against-terrorism/
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Publish Date: 2025-10-23 05:32:00
