President Obama Wished Happy Diwali to Narendra Modi

President Barack Obama spoke Tuesday by phone with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to review joint efforts on key areas of bilateral cooperation and to preview global issues ahead of the upcoming G-20 summit, East Asia Summit, and Paris Climate Conference.

Noting that the conversation represented the first use of the new secure line between the two leaders, President Obama wished the Prime Minister Modi a happy Diwali (an Indian festival that took place Wednesday) and reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-India partnership in addressing both regional and global issues.

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Both leaders shared their perspectives on developments in South Asia and discussed the progress they have made on shared economic and security priorities.

This includes implementation of the Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region and addressing the global challenge of climate change.

Photo courtesy: White House