Donald Trump celebrates Diwali at White House; hails India as ‘best’ trade negotiators

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday celebrated in the historic Roosevelt Room of the White House along with several top Indian-Americans. During the celebrations, the US president described India the “best” trade negotiators. Trump hailed “deep” US-India ties and said that he was “grateful” for his friendship 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 before lightening the ceremonial Diya for Diwali - the largest festival of Hindus in India and abroad.

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In 2009, Barack Obama became the first US president to celebrate Diwali inside the White House. This was Trump’s second consecutive Diwali celebrations at White House.

Today, we gathered for Diwali, a holiday observed by Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains throughout the United States & around the world. Hundreds of millions of people have gathered with family & friends to light the Diya and to mark the beginning of a New Year. https://t.co/epHogpTY1A pic.twitter.com/9LUwnhngWJ

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018

"We're trying very hard to make better trade deals with India. But, they're very good traders. They're very good negotiators. You would say right. The best. So, we're working. And it's moving along," Trump said.

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Although Diwali celebrations at the White House had started in 2003, Barack Obama became the first US president to attend the ceremony in 2009.