LOC14:53
11:53 GMT
NEW DELHI, Feb 13 (KUNA) -- In a major policy shift, the US on Thursday
moved towards revoking the decade long boycott of controversial Hindu
nationalist leader, Narendra Modi who could become India's Prime Minister in
the upcoming elections to be held within few months.
Following a decade long embargo, U.S Ambassador to India, Nancy J. Powell
met the prime ministerial candidate of the Opposition Bhartiya Janta Party
(BJP) and Chief Minister of India's eastern state of Gujrat, Narendra Modi,
and held discussions focused on the importance of the U.S.-India relationship,
regional security issues, human rights, and American trade and investment in
India.
"This meeting was part of the U.S. Mission's outreach to senior leaders of
India's major political parties in advance of the upcoming national elections,
" the US embassy in New Delhi said in a statement.
"During her visit to Gujarat, Ambassador Powell will meet with
representatives from non-governmental organizations and U.S. and Indian
businesses. Her discussions focus on the importance of the U.S.-India
relationship, regional security issues, human rights, and American trade and
investment in India," the statement added.
The meeting between the US ambassador and Modi took place in Gandhinagar
city of Gujrat.
The United States and India are moving forward with a strategic partnership
that is broad and deep, the statement read, adding, starting last November,
Ambassador Powell has shared and listened to views on the U.S.-India
relationship.
"She continues to emphasize that the U.S.-India partnership is important
and strategic, and that the United States looks forward to working closely
with the government that the Indian people choose in the upcoming elections,"
the statement read.
The Hindu nationalist leader, Modi, has been banned to travel to the US for
almost a decade over his controversial role in the religious riots that took
place in 2002 in the state Gujarat. Human rights activists and groups have
long accused, Modi, the then chief minister of Gujrat, giving free hand to
rioters who ended up killing 2,000, people, majority of whom belonged to the
Muslims Community.
Later, the US revoked visa of Modi in 2005 under domestic law that bars
entry by any foreign official seen as responsible for "severe violations of
religious freedom". A charge refuted by the controversial leader.
Apart from the US, several European nations and Australia have already
restored ties with the controversial leader. (end)
wk.mt
KUNA 131453 Feb 14NNNN