WASHINGTON: The issuance of Diwali stamp by the US Postal Services is viewed by Indian-Americans as an affirmation of the key role played by them in the US, the White House said today as it hailed the community's contribution to the country. 

"Well, listen, I don't know that the White House can claim any credit for the decision on the part of the postal service to start printing and distributing Diwali stamps," the White House Press Secretary, Josh Earnest, said.

"I would anticipate that the president and the first lady will issue a statement on the occasion of Diwali to offer their greetings to those who are celebrating the holiday," he said. 

"Obviously the -- as we have discussed a couple of times here, the United States and India share deep cultural ties. So there's a large and active Indian-American population here in the United States. It contributes greatly to the success and vibrancy of our country, our economy and our democracy," he said. 

"Our country benefits from the large Indian-American population that lives here and makes tangible contributions to our country on a daily basis. And so if the issuance of that stamp is viewed by Indian community as an affirmation of the important role that they play in our country, then that certainly would please the President of the United States," Earnest said. 

A Diwali stamp was launched here by the US postal service, capping seven-year-long efforts by Indian-Americans and influential American lawmakers to commemorate the festival of lights.

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