New Delhi: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, French President Emmanuel Macron, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan were among the world leaders who extended greetings on Diwali on Sunday.
“Diwali carries a shared message of hope. 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 said in a statement.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish a very happy Diwali to all those celebrating,” he added.
French President Macron shared his greetings on Instagram in English and Hindi, which the French Embassy in India wrote on social media platform X.
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“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!” the French President said.
“Deepavali therefore 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,” Sri Lankan President Dissanayake said on X.
It is with great pleasure that I extend my warm greetings on the occasion of Deepavali, one of the most sacred religious festivals of the Hindu community, which symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
Commemorating the victory of Lord Krishna, over the demon Narakasura, Hindus engage in religious observances with the hope that, just as righteousness triumphed over unrighteousness, darkness will be dispelled from every heart and the light of goodness will prevail.
The true meaning of Deepavali extends beyond illuminating homes with the light of oil lamps. It lies in kindling the light of love, compassion, brotherhood and humanity in the hearts of people. Deepavali therefore 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.
We remain firmly committed to the great responsibility of transforming every sphere of society, the economy and politics, and building a nation that respects all religious and cultural identities and treats everyone with equality and dignity.
I hope that the path we are collectively pursuing towards building Sri Lanka as an Island of Peace and Humanity, which grows stronger economically and socially and stands with dignity before the world, will be further illuminated by the lamps lit this Deepavali.
I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Hindu devotees in Sri Lanka and across the world for a peaceful, joyful and prosperous Deepavali.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake
President
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
08 November 2026— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) November 7, 2026
“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,” the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said on X.
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.
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) November 8, 2026
In Caracas, Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez attended a Diwali celebration hosted by the Venezuelan government and the Embassy of India.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said the glow of a diya was “a beautiful reminder of the power of a little light to cast away darkness”.
Earlier on Sunday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Guyana President Irfaan Ali extended Diwali wishes, while Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov greeted Indians in a Hindi video message.
On Saturday, the UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong extended greetings, and on Friday, US President Donald Trump marked Diwali in the Oval Office.
Diwali, the festival of lights, symbolises the victory of good over evil and light over darkness, and is celebrated with earthen lamps and prayers to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.
