News Summary
President Donald Trump hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House, highlighting the holiday’s significance and fostering U.S.-India business ties. Major CEOs announced substantial investment plans, with IBM committing $150 billion and Micron unveiling $200 billion in U.S. manufacturing and R&D. The event underscores the growing recognition of Diwali in the U.S., alongside bipartisan efforts to honor the festival’s cultural importance. The celebration included discussions on trade relations and the impact of Indian-American contributions to the economy.
Washington D.C. Celebrates Diwali With Investment Announcements
President Donald Trump hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House, honoring the significant holiday in India that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. The event brought together notable Indian-American leaders from various industries to discuss planned business investments in the U.S., showcasing the strengthening ties between the two nations.
Significant Business Investments Announced
Among the prominent attendees were major CEOs, including Shantanu Narayen from Adobe, Sanjay Mehrotra from Micron, and Arvind Krishna from IBM. During the celebration, Krishna announced IBM’s commitment to invest $150 billion in the U.S. over the upcoming five years. Similarly, Mehrotra unveiled Micron’s plan to invest $200 billion, prioritizing chip manufacturing and research and development in states such as Idaho, New York, and Virginia. This move is predicted to create 19,000 jobs and relocate 40% of Micron’s manufacturing to domestic facilities.
Mehrotra emphasized the importance of Diwali by remarking on its meaning of light and renewal, highlighting the positive impact of relocating semiconductor manufacturing to the U.S.
Trade Relations and Diplomatic Engagement
During the festivities, President Trump highlighted the economic growth the U.S. has experienced since his election, claiming over $17 trillion in investments have flowed into the country due to his administration’s policies. He also emphasized the importance of U.S.-India trade relations and described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a close ally.
Trump revealed that he discussed trade issues, including the economic partnership between the U.S. and India, along with peace efforts concerning tensions between India and Pakistan. Notably, he announced an additional 25% tariff on imports from India for purchasing Russian oil, elevating the total tariff rate to 50%.
Recognition of Diwali in the U.S.
The celebration at the White House symbolizes the increasing recognition of Diwali across the United States. U.S. Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Brian Fitzpatrick have introduced a bipartisan resolution acknowledging Diwali’s cultural and historical significance. In recent years, states like Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and California have declared official state holidays for Diwali, marking a shift in societal recognition of this important festival.
A soon-to-be-implemented legislation in California will enable school closures for Diwali starting in January 2026. Moreover, various districts in states like New York, New Jersey, and Texas have begun observing Diwali as a school holiday, showcasing the growing engagement of the Indian diaspora in U.S. culture.
A Cultural Celebration
Diwali is a five-day festival that begins with Dhanteras, which involves the purchasing of jewelry or utensils. The subsequent days include Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali), the main day for worshiping Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, Govardhan Puja, and concluding with Bhai Dooj, when sisters pray for their brothers’ long lives.
The White House Diwali event featured a diya lighting, symbolizing faith in the victory of light over darkness, as demonstrated by IBM’s Arvind Krishna. The celebration underscores the importance of the Indian-American community and its contributions to the United States.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Hindustan Times: Trump Extends Diwali Greetings
- Wikipedia: Diwali
- Hindustan Times: World Leaders’ Diwali Greetings
- Google Search: Diwali celebration Trump
- Spectrum News: Trump Marks Diwali Holiday
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Diwali
- Hindustan Times: Trump’s Diwali Bash Announcement
- Google News: Trump Diwali White House
- Bloomberg: Trump Speaks to Modi
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
The WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWashingtonDC.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Washington, DC, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and regional news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Washington Auto Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Washington Board of Trade and Destination DC, plus leading businesses in government contracting and technology that power the local economy such as Lockheed Martin and Amazon. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape of the Washington metropolitan area.
