Washington: United States has aver over the controversy of visa of Narendra Modi and said that if Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi applies for visa then they will consider his application like any other case.
Jen Psaki, Spokesperson of State Department said, “If he (Modi) applies for a (US) visa, certainly that would be considered, as through the normal process.” “As I said yesterday, if he applies, it will certainly be reviewed, just as any application would be, but we wouldn’t speak about that publicly.”
Psaki had made a similar statement at her daily news conference on Wednesday, noting that there has been no change in the US policy with regard to this issue.
Psaki while responding to a question, said, “The US does not take a decision on visa issues under pressure. No, we evaluate them case by case, and we wouldn’t speak to it publicly anyway. But of course, if he applied, it would be considered.”
She said, “The Vice President was just there, and we have a long- standing strategic and productive relationship with India.”
It is noted that US has reservation over granting visa to Modi because of human rights violations in 2002 post-Godhra riots under his watch as the chief minister.
The remarks of State Department had came amid controversy over the issue of 65 MPs writing to US President Barack Obama urging the US Administration to maintain the current policy of denying visa to Modi.
40 Lok Sabha and 25 Rajya Sabha MPs were reported to have written to Obama on the visa issue. BJP has demanded a probe into the matter.
The remarks of State Department had came as the visiting BJP president Singh was winding up his three-day hectic visit to Washington, during which he met a host of US lawmakers, think tanks and academicians.
Singh told the Indian-American media here that he did not raise the issue of Modi’s visa with the US. He said that this is an issue for the US Government to take a call on.
Singh said, “This is not our issue. This is an issue for US administration.” Singh said Modi is a “very very” popular leader of the country.
Bureau Report
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