New Delhi [India], November 7 (ANI): The British High Commission in India has celebrated Diwali by highlighting the landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), expressing optimism about the way forward for the bilateral partnership and saying there’s ‘hundreds extra forward’ for the 2 international locations.
In a put up on X, the British High Commission shared its Diwali greetings and described the event as notably particular following the supply of the landmark commerce settlement.
‘The Diwali smiles are additional vivid at this 12 months! With our landmark Free Trade Agreement delivered and hundreds extra forward for the trendy UK-India partnership, we had hundreds to rejoice. HappyDiwali to everybody celebrating!’ the British High Commission in India stated in its put up on X.
The celebrations come because the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) got here into impact in July, marking a major step in the direction of strengthening bilateral commerce and funding ties between the 2 international locations.
The settlement seeks to deepen financial integration between India and the United Kingdom by way of enhanced market entry, commerce liberalisation and tariff concessions.
Under the settlement, India will obtain zero-duty entry on almost 99 per cent of its exports to the UK, masking nearly 100 per cent of the commerce worth. The settlement is predicted to reinforce India’s export competitiveness, develop bilateral commerce, appeal to funding and create new alternatives for companies.
The settlement additionally gives India with some of the bold service commitments ever provided by the UK underneath a Free Trade Agreement.
Meanwhile, a number of international diplomatic missions in India have marked the pageant of lights with celebrations involving their employees, highlighting the festive spirit and cultural connections with the nation.
Japan’s Ambassador to India, Ono Keiichi, celebrated Diwali with Indian and Japanese colleagues on the Embassy of Japan, marking his third Diwali in India.
Sharing a video of the celebrations, the ambassador highlighted the enjoyment of observing the pageant alongside embassy employees. The video featured conventional diyas, vibrant rangoli designs, marigold decorations and staff wearing conventional Indian apparel.
‘Celebrated Diwali with all of the Embassy employees! Sharing the enjoyment of this stunning pageant with each Indian and Japanese colleagues made my third Diwali in India much more memorable. Happy Diwali!!’ ONO Keiichi wrote.
The French Embassy in India additionally shared glimpses of its annual Diwali celebrations by way of a light-hearted video that includes embassy employees and French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou.
Posted on X on Friday, the 93-second video confirmed embassy staff playfully exchanging whispers and checking emails earlier than revealing preparations for the pageant. It later featured the lighting of a conventional brass diya embellished with marigold flowers.
The French Ambassador was additionally seen lighting the ceremonial lamp and increasing Diwali greetings.
‘Diwali is a lovely celebration of life, hope and new beginnings. May this pageant convey pleasure to each house and proceed to strengthen the bonds of friendship between France and India,’ he stated.
Diwali, also referred to as the Festival of Lights, will likely be celebrated on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The five-day festivities started with Dhanteras on November 6, adopted by Choti Diwali on November 7.
The important pageant and Lakshmi Puja will likely be noticed on November 8, adopted by Govardhan Puja on November 9 and Bhai Dooj on November 10.
The pageant is historically marked by lighting diyas, adorning houses with rangoli, providing prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, and exchanging sweets and festive greetings. (ANI)