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Diwali, throughout America, is an important reminder of religious liberty: Donald Trump

WION Web Team
New Delhi, India Edited By: Sparshita SaxenaUpdated: Oct 26, 2019, 11:04 AM IST
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File photo: US President Donald Trump Photograph:(AFP)

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Trump's presidential message on Diwali was released by the White House on its official website on Friday. 

In his Diwali message, US President Donald Trump described the festival as a "sacred period" and an "opportunity to commemorate the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance".

Trump's presidential message on Diwali was released by the White House on its official website on Friday. 

"As Diwali commences, Melania and I wish those observing the Festival of Lights a blessed and happy celebration," the statement read. 

In his statement, Trump stated the significance of the festival in the United States and said that the festive period "throughout America is an important reminder of the significance of one of our nation’s core tenets — religious liberty". 

Trump hoped this year's celebrations will bring "love, joy, and eternal peace" ensuring that his administration will continue to enable people of "all faiths to worship according to their beliefs and conscience".

During last year's Diwali celebrations at the White House, Trump joked that Indians are "very good traders" and "very good negotiators".

"I am grateful for my friendship with Prime Minister Modi. We are trying very hard to make better trade deals with India. But they're very good traders. They're very good negotiators, the best," the US president said.

"So we're working and it's moving along. India is the world's largest democracy and the relationship between our two countries can act as a bulwark for freedom, prosperity and peace," he said as Indian-Americans at the White House applauded.