Addressing the gathering, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez lauded the India-US relations and the important positions held by members of the Indian American community in both the government and the private sectors.
"This year's celebration of Diwali in the White House has a special meaning for both countries since it crowns a momentous year during which our countries came together closer than ever before" said Arathi Krishna, the Community Development Officer at the Embassy of India and one of the attendees of yesterday's event.