The BRICS TimesGlobal leaders like Donald Trump, UK PM Keir Starmer, and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu extended warm greetings for the Diwali festival of lights.
Millions of lamps illuminated homes across India on Monday as people celebrated Diwali, the major Hindu festival of lights. World leaders shared their well wishes with celebrants both in their countries and worldwide. US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were among them.
Here’s a look at the heartfelt Diwali messages shared by global dignitaries:
Donald Trump (United States)
Trump sent his best wishes to everyone celebrating the Festival of Lights. In a White House statement, he said Diwali is “a timeless reminder of light’s victory over darkness.” He added that it’s also a time for families and friends to unite. They should “celebrate community, draw strength from hope, and embrace a lasting spirit of renewal,” he stated. Trump concluded: “We rejoice in the eternal truth that good will always triumph over evil.” This happens “As millions of citizens light diyas and lanterns.”
Keir Starmer (United Kingdom)
The UK Prime Minister sent greetings to Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs in Britain. Starmer recalled lighting a diya in Mumbai earlier this month. He called it “a symbol of devotion, joy, and renewed bonds.” His message posted on X wished everyone well. He urged people to “keep building a Britain where everyone can look ahead with hope.”
Mark Carney (Canada)
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also extended warm Diwali greetings. He posted on X that families and communities across Canada will light diyas. They will “celebrate the triumph of light over darkness — of good over evil.” He wished everyone celebrating this “joyful Festival of Lights.”
Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel)
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu sent wishes to PM Narendra Modi and the Indian people for the occasion. He wished his friend Narendra Modi “a very Happy Diwali!” He hoped the Festival of Lights would bring “hope, peace and prosperity to your great nation.” He affirmed that “Israel and India stand together.” They are “partners in innovation, friendship, defence and a brighter future,” he said.
Shehbaz Sharif (Pakistan)
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wished the minority Hindu community members at home and worldwide. He extended his “heartfelt greetings” on this auspicious occasion. He hoped the festival would “dispel darkness, foster harmony.” He prayed it would guide everyone “toward a future of peace, compassion, and shared prosperity.” This happens “As homes and hearts are illuminated with the light of Diwali.”
He added that the spirit of Diwali “inspires our collective resolve.” This resolve is to overcome challenges “from intolerance to inequality.” He called on people to “work together to ensure that every citizen… can live in peace.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (UAE)
The Ruler of Dubai and UAE Prime Minister also shared his greetings. He wished those celebrating Diwali in the UAE and worldwide. His message conveyed “Warmest wishes and greetings.” He wished “peace, safety, and prosperity to you and your loved ones.”
Lawrence Wong (Singapore)
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong sent his wishes in a video on X.
He spoke of “Light over darkness. Hope over fear.” He said people celebrate not only the lights but “the meaning they carry in our hearts.” He wished everyone “a bright and meaningful Festival of Lights ahead.”
Anura Kumara Dissanayake (Sri Lanka)
The Sri Lankan President greeted Hindus in Sri Lanka and abroad. He prayed the festival’s light “dispels the darkness in our hearts.” He hoped it would “illuminate our collective path.” He said the “celebration of good over evil mirrors our government’s resolve.” This resolve is “to defeat the threats to our nation’s progress.”
People of Indian Origin
FBI Director Kash Patel, an Indian-origin official, posted on X: “Happy Diwali—celebrating the Festival of Lights around the world, as good triumphs over evil.”
Indian-origin billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy wished: “May the light prevail over darkness.”
New York mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani said: “New York shines brighter tonight because of the people who bring their light and traditions home.”
