By World News desk
America News World
October 22, 2025
In a warm exchange across oceans, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for Diwali greetings during a phone call on Wednesday. The chat marked their third talk in just one month, showing strong ties between the two leaders. Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, brings families together to celebrate good over evil with lamps, sweets, and fireworks. This year, it lit up global talks too, especially on trade, energy, and peace.
US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter) soon after the call. “Thank you, President Trump, for your phone call and warm Diwali greetings,” he wrote. “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.” He tagged Trump’s handle and the official POTUS account. The message highlights shared values like democracy and fighting terror, key to India-U.S. bonds.
The call happened as the White House hosted a special Diwali event on Tuesday evening (U.S. time). Trump joined Indian-American leaders, lighting a traditional clay lamp, or diya, in the Oval Office. “In a few moments, we will light the diya as a symbol of faith in the victory of light over darkness… It is knowledge over ignorance and good over evil,” Trump said in his speech. He praised the festival’s stories of heroes beating foes and freeing the trapped. Guests included India’s ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Kwatra, and top American officials like FBI Director Kash Patel and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard. Indian-American business owners also attended, underscoring the big role of the 3 million-strong Indian community in America.
Trump spoke openly about the Modi chat during the event. “I just spoke to your Prime Minister today. We had a great conversation. We talked about trade. We talked about a lot of things, but mostly the world of trade. He is very interested in that,” he shared with the crowd. Trump called Modi a “great person” and “great friend” built over years. He boasted of “some great deals” in the works for trade and keeping peace in South Asia.
Energy and war topped the agenda. Trump repeated a claim that Modi promised to cut India’s buys of cheap Russian oil. “He is not going to buy much oil from Russia. He wants to see that war end as much as with Russia and Ukraine. And as you know, they are not going to be buying too much oil. So, they have got it way back, and they are continuing to cut it way back,” Trump stated. This nods to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, now in its fourth year. Russia sells oil at low prices to dodge Western bans, and India has become a top buyer, snapping up over 1.5 million barrels a day. U.S. leaders worry this funds Moscow’s war machine. But experts say India’s shift is slow due to energy needs and costs. Modi’s post skipped this, focusing on hope and anti-terror unity.
Trade tensions simmer underneath the friendly words. Trump has pushed tariffs on imports from India and China to protect U.S. jobs. He wants fair deals, saying “trade wars are good and easy to win” in past speeches. India exports textiles, gems, and drugs worth billions to America. New tariffs could hike prices for U.S. shoppers and hurt Indian workers. Yet, both sides eye a bigger trade pact. Bilateral trade hit $190 billion last year, up 20% from 2023. Talks aim for $500 billion by 2030, with focus on tech, defense, and green energy. Trump’s team sees India as a counter to China’s rise, especially in chips and EVs.
The leaders also touched on regional calm. Trump mentioned past chats on avoiding clashes between India and Pakistan, neighbors with nuclear arms and old grudges over Kashmir. “We did talk a little while ago about ‘let’s have no wars with Pakistan’. The fact that trade was involved, I was able to talk about that. And we have no war with Pakistan and India. That was a very, very good thing,” he noted. India and Pakistan have fought three wars since 1947, with the last big flare-up in 2019. Peace helps trade routes and investor trust.
This call builds on recent ones. Modi and Trump spoke on September 16, before Modi’s 75th birthday, and again on October 9. Their bond dates to Trump’s first term, with big hugs at summits like “Howdy Modi” in Texas. Now, in Trump’s second White House run, old pals eye fresh wins. A face-to-face meet looms at the ASEAN-East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, October 26-28. Side talks could seal energy or defense pacts.
Diwali’s glow spread wide this year. In America, cities like New York and San Francisco hosted lights shows and markets. The White House bash drew cheers for blending cultures. Back home, Modi lit lamps at his Delhi home, urging eco-friendly fun amid smog woes. Over 1.4 billion Indians joined in, boosting sweets sales to $2 billion.
As lamps flicker out, the call signals steady sails. Modi and Trump, worlds apart yet aligned, push for a brighter trade path. Will oil flows ease and deals click? Kuala Lumpur may tell. For now, Diwali’s light reminds: hope beats dark, if leaders link arms.
In America, Indian voices cheer the ties. “Proud to be Indian and American,” said one guest at the White House, echoing the diaspora’s pull. From Houston’s temples to Silicon Valley’s CEOs, they bridge nations. As Trump quipped, “We are family now.”
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