On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, the holy festival of light and joy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a formal and cordial meeting with the country's first civilian President Draupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday, 8 November 2026. During this courtesy call, Prime Minister Modi extended warm wishes to the President on Diwali and wished him a healthy and long life. President Draupadi Murmu also warmly welcomed the Prime Minister and extended advance greetings to him and all the countrymen on this national festival of happiness, prosperity and peace. Photos of the heads of both the top constitutional posts were shared on the official social media handle of Rashtrapati Bhavan, in which both the leaders are seen exchanging good wishes and discussing the expansion of unity, harmony and cultural prosperity in the country. Just before this meeting, the Prime Minister had celebrated Deepotsav with the security forces deployed on the front lines in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, where he underlined the historic achievement of the end of Naxalism and a secure India. Intimate meeting of constitutional heads at Rashtrapati Bhavan and best wishes for Diwali. This meeting, held at the historic Rashtrapati Bhavan in the country's capital New Delhi, took place in a very cordial and intimate atmosphere. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Rashtrapati Bhavan in traditional attire, where he congratulated President Draupadi Murmu on the occasion of Diwali by presenting a bouquet. President Murmu also praised the Prime Minister's resolve for nation building and expressed his best wishes for the continued development of the country and people's welfare. This traditional Diwali meeting between the constitutional heads is not just a courtesy, but it is also a living symbol of the deep coordination between the top institutions of the country and the strength of democratic values. In the pictures shared by Rashtrapati Bhavan, the joy of the festival and confidence in the bright future of the country were clearly reflected on the faces of both the leaders. On this occasion, there was also a brief discussion on the internal security scenario of the country, the dedication of the soldiers deployed in the border areas and various dimensions of national progress. The Prime Minister also met Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, expressed his gratitude. Before going to Rashtrapati Bhavan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met the country's Vice President CP Radhakrishnan at his official residence on Saturday, 7 November 2026. On reaching the Vice President's residence, CP Radhakrishnan gave a grand and cordial welcome to the Prime Minister. Both the leaders greeted each other on the occasion of Diwali and shared views on the country's spiritual tradition and democratic system. After the meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while sharing pictures on his social media account X, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Vice President Radhakrishnan for his warm welcome and good wishes. The meeting with the Vice President highlighted the cordial relationship between the legislative and administrative pillars of the country, which spread the positive energy of the Festival of Lights throughout the national leadership. Diwali with soldiers in the forests of Bastar: 'Soldiers are my real family' Continuing his unbroken tradition of celebrating Diwali every year among the security forces ready to protect the country on the borders and remote fronts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Bastar, the Naxal-affected historical area of Chhattisgarh, this year. Celebrating Diwali with CRPF, BSF, ITBP and local security forces amidst dense forests and sensitive security posts, the Prime Minister fed them sweets with his own hands and encouraged them. Addressing the soldiers, the Prime Minister said in an emotional tone that today when the entire country and crores of Indians living in different corners of the world are celebrating this festival of lights, people go to their ancestral homes and share happiness with their family members. He clarified that the brave soldiers deployed in the country's borders and internal security are his family, hence every year he is drawn to these inaccessible fronts to share the joy of Diwali with his family. Paying tribute to the indomitable courage of the soldiers, he said that it is only due to the sacrifice and vigilance of the security forces that every citizen of the country is able to light the lamp in his house without fear. Historic achievement: 'This is the first Diwali when every district of the country is free from Naxalism' While addressing the nation from the sacred and historical land of Bastar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a very important and historic achievement. He said with pride that the Diwali of the year 2026 is being recorded as a golden chapter in the history of independent India, because this is the first Diwali in the country when every district of India is completely free from the dark shadow of Naxalism and Left Wing Extremism. The Prime Minister explained in detail that for decades, many states and districts of the country were forced to live in fear of Naxalite terror and violence, due to which the rays of development could not reach there. As a result of the continuous valor of the security forces, well-planned operations and administrative determination, today crores of countrymen have come out of the fear of Naxalism forever. Bastar, once known for violence and landmines, has today entered a new era of peace, tourism, local art and infrastructure development. He said that this achievement is the result of the indomitable bravery of our immortal martyrs and security forces. From Kargil to INS Vikrant: Every Diwali with the soldiers becomes unforgettable. During his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the memories of Diwali spent with the soldiers in different inaccessible geographical areas of the country in the past years. He underlined that from Kargil and Lepcha located on the snowy peaks of the Himalayas with sub-zero temperatures, to the scorching desert and marshy Sir Creek, and to the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant floating in the open sea as a symbol of India's self-respect, every Diwali celebrated in the company of brave soldiers has become the most precious heritage of their lives. The Prime Minister said that whether it is the glaciers of Siachen or the rugged forests of Bastar, the bravery and discipline of Indian soldiers overcomes every adverse situation. The moments spent with the soldiers in the forests of Bastar give the message that the country has now become self-reliant and decisive in matters of defense and security. Only after these inspiring moments spent with the soldiers, the Prime Minister returned straight to Delhi, where he met the Head of State, President Draupadi Murmu and prayed for prosperity and continuous progress for the entire country.
