By: IndoUS Tribune Staff

In a vibrant celebration of the Hindu festival of lights, President Donald Trump hosted top Indian-American business leaders and administration officials at the White House on Tuesday to mark Diwali, one of India’s most cherished holidays symbolizing the victory of light over darkness.

The Oval Office ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, and IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, all of whom highlighted major U.S. investments by their companies — signaling deepening economic ties between the United States and India’s global business community.

President Trump praised the executives for their commitments, noting that “more than $17 trillion in investments have poured into the United States since my return,” crediting the renewed investor confidence to his administration’s pro-business policies and tariff measures.

IBM’s Arvind Krishna announced that his company plans to invest $150 billion in the U.S. over the next five years, while Micron’s Sanjay Mehrotra outlined a massive $200 billion investment plan for semiconductor manufacturing and research in Idaho, New York, and Virginia, creating an estimated 19,000 new jobs.

“Diwali stands for light and renewal, and the United States is a light to the rest of the world,” Mehrotra said. “I want to applaud you and your team for bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to the U.S.”

President Trump called Diwali a “great festival” and extended his “warmest wishes to the people of India.” During the ceremony, he invited IBM’s Krishna to light a traditional diya, symbolizing light’s triumph over darkness. “It’s a beautiful term — light over darkness — that’s what it’s all about,” Trump remarked.

The President also lauded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “great person” and a “great friend,” confirming that he spoke with Modi earlier that day about “a lot of things, but mostly trade.”

Shortly after the ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his gratitude, writing:

“Thank you, President Trump, for your phone call and warm Diwali greetings. 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.”

Representing India at the White House event, Ambassador Vinay Kwatra extended Diwali wishes on behalf of Prime Minister Modi and thanked President Trump for the celebration:

“Ambassador Vinay Kwatra was deeply honored to join President Donald J. Trump at the White House today to celebrate Diwali. Wished him on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi a Happy Diwali and thanked him for this beautiful gesture.”

President Trump also released an official Diwali message to the American people, saying:

“For many Americans, Diwali is a timeless reminder of light’s victory over darkness. It is a time to bring families and friends together to celebrate community, draw strength from hope, and embrace a lasting spirit of renewal. As millions of citizens light diyas and lanterns, we rejoice in the eternal truth that good will always triumph over evil.”

The President concluded by extending warm Diwali greetings to the vibrant 5 million-strong Indian diaspora in the United States, emphasizing their growing contributions to America’s cultural and economic landscape.

The event marked another symbolic moment of India–U.S. camaraderie, blending faith, culture, and commerce under the glow of Diwali lights — reflecting a shared belief that renewal, prosperity, and good will always prevail.