World leaders from across five continents extended warm wishes on the occasion of Diwali on Sunday, 8 November, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, French President Emmanuel Macron, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan among those offering greetings to Hindus and Diwali celebrants worldwide. The outpouring of diplomatic goodwill underscores the festival's growing global resonance.

Leaders' Messages and Key Quotes

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement that Diwali 'carries a shared message of hope,' adding that it 'reminds us that light is not only something we celebrate, but something we create — through acts of generosity, service, and the care we show one another.' Carney extended the wishes 'on behalf of the Government of Canada.'

French President Macron shared his greetings on Instagram in both English and Hindi, a message that the French Embassy in India reposted on social media platform X. 'Wishing all my Indian friends in India, France, and around the world, a very happy Diwali! May its light inspire us to ever uphold unity, peace, and hope!' Macron wrote.

Sri Lankan President Dissanayake posted on X that Deepavali 'provides a valuable opportunity to renew our resolve to build a better, more just and compassionate society by choosing kindness over hatred, coexistence over division, and justice over injustice.' UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also extended wishes on X, saying: 'Best wishes to all those celebrating Diwali in the UAE and around the world. May this celebration and the year ahead bring good health and prosperity to you and your families.'

Diplomatic Celebrations on the Ground

In Caracas, Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez personally attended a Diwali celebration jointly hosted by the Venezuelan government and the Embassy of India — a rare instance of a head of state joining a Diwali event abroad. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk also marked the occasion, describing the glow of a diya as 'a beautiful reminder of the power of a little light to cast away darkness.'

Earlier Wishes Through the Weekend

The diplomatic wave of greetings had begun building through the weekend. On Sunday morning, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Guyana President Irfaan Ali extended their wishes, while Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov greeted Indians in a Hindi-language video message. On Saturday, UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong conveyed their greetings. On Friday, US President Donald Trump marked Diwali with a ceremony at the Oval Office.

About Diwali

Diwali, widely known as the festival of lights, symbolises the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. It is observed with the lighting of earthen lamps, bursting of firecrackers, and prayers offered to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi. The festival is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and others in India and across the diaspora worldwide. The scale of international leaders' participation in 2026 reflects the festival's deepening footprint in global cultural diplomacy.