Washington, Oct 24 (NationPress) India's Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, recently met with US Senator Bill Hagerty to discuss numerous aspects of their bilateral relationship. Their conversation covered ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial trade deal, the enhancement of bilateral hydrocarbons trade, and collaborative efforts to tackle shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Kwatra expressed his gratitude, stating, "It was a privilege to host Senator Hagerty and his wife at our residence. I truly appreciate the Senator's unwavering support for India-U.S. relations. We discussed various aspects of our bilateral cooperation, including ongoing discussions about a beneficial trade agreement and increasing hydrocarbon trade, while also focusing on shared issues in the Indo-Pacific region," he shared on X.

This week, Kwatra and his wife also participated in a special Diwali celebration at the White House, hosted by US President Donald Trump. The event also welcomed the new US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, along with other notable figures such as FBI Director Kash Patel and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, alongside prominent business leaders from the Indian diaspora.

Kwatra noted on X, "I felt privileged to join President Trump at the White House for Diwali celebrations. I conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and thanked him for this gracious gesture. Warm Diwali wishes to everyone celebrating, especially the vibrant 5 million-strong Indian community in the US."

During the event, Trump lit a diya in the Oval Office, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, and extended his "warmest wishes to the people of India," describing Prime Minister Modi as "a great person" and expressing his admiration for the Indian populace.

Trump emphasized that during Diwali, people remember ancient tales of overcoming adversities. He expressed, "It’s knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. The diya's light reminds us to pursue wisdom, work diligently, and be grateful for our blessings." Furthermore, he mentioned a recent conversation with PM Modi, highlighting the two nations' efforts on significant trade agreements.

Trump also reiterated assurances that India would not significantly increase its oil purchases from Russia, stating, "We have a very strong relationship, and he is keen on reducing oil imports from Russia, seeking to end the conflict with Ukraine as well."