Washington sources have reported that Diwali dinner was first hosted for Indian-American community by former President Barack Obama in 2009. The White House Diwali celebration has since become an annual affair.
Earlier in June, Trump infamously ended the decades long White House tradition of celebrating Eid (Ramadan) with an 'iftar' dinner. Hence, the Indian-American community had some apprehensions whether the Diwali dinner too would be canceled. Trump however decided to continue this tradition. Meanwhile the Indian-American community hopes that Trump will address visa-related issues with community members during the dinner.
Furthermore the community also hopes Trump will consider their request
that he address a rally in Chicago for about 15,000
Indian-Americans. According to sources the Diwali dinner is being described
by some political analysts as a strategical move of Trump govt. to ease the
Indian-American community's fears about the President's call for a stricter
visa regime.
