At a star-studded Diwali reception in the Benjamin Franklin Room of the U.S. State Department on Thursday evening Secretary of State John Kerry underscored the shared values between his country and India saying that the “mutual commitment to religious tolerance and pluralism helps to define and to strengthen our two democracies,” values that President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated last month as they crossed over from their White House summit meeting to visit the Martin Luther King Memorial.
Praising the contributions of senior administration officials such as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Biswal, Mr. Kerry added that the discussions between the representatives of the two nations “an unforgettable chance… to build on the already deep ties between America and India.”
The ceremony was marked by an invocation and lighting of a lamp by Hindu Priest Narayanachar, from the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in nearby Maryland, which the Secretary said “not only serves as a spiritual home for thousands of Hindu Americans, but it provides support and outreach for people of all backgrounds and beliefs.”
Speaking at the event alongside Mr. Kerry and Ms. Biswal was Indian Ambassador S. Jaishankar, who emphasised that in addition to being a time of celebration, Diwali also marked a time of “renewal,” which was also applicable to the growing momentum in the bilateral relationship.
Attendees also heard a televised statement from U.S. President Barack Obama, who said, “I was proud to host the first Diwali celebration at the White House back in 2009. Since then, we’ve continued to mark this holiday to honour the rich traditions that define the American family.”
Mr. Obama added, “Michelle and I will never forget the wonderful time we had celebrating Diwali in Mumbai with food, dancing, and the company of friends.”
