This Article is From Jul 31, 2014

PM Modi Denied Visa by Different Government, We Will Welcome him: John Kerry to NDTV

PM Modi Denied Visa by Different Government, We Will Welcome him: John Kerry to NDTV

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Speak to NDTV's Prannoy Roy

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was denied a visa by a "different government", US Secretary of State John Kerry told NDTV today. "We will welcome PM Modi and definitely give him a visa," said Mr Kerry in an interview.

Mr Modi this month accepted a formal invitation from President Barack Obama to visit the US in September. This will be his first visit since Washington denied him a visa in 2005 citing the 2002 riots in Gujarat, the state that Mr Modi ruled for 13 years till he took over as Prime Minister in May.

Asked about America's turnaround, Mr Kerry said, "Wrong because it wasn't me... that's what I'm saying that's a very big deal, different government is different government, just like it is here. We will welcome PM Modi and of course he will get a visa, no questions whatsoever, and we look forward to the terrific meeting with President Obama in September."

Mr Kerry added, "We are going forward. I don't spend my time looking backward in politics and who made what decision. What I try to do is solve current issues and we are here not to look backwards but to look forward."

The Secretary of State arrived in Delhi on Wednesday evening for an annual strategic dialogue, the first engagement with the Modi government that took power in May promising to put India back on a high growth path.

Weeks after the new government took charge, allegations that the American National Security Agency had been authorized to spy on the BJP in 2010 caused resentment in India, with New Delhi summoning US officials and asking them to ensure it didn't happen again.

Speaking on the "snooping row", Mr Kerry said, "We don't discuss intelligence in public, like anybody else. But we are going to do everything to have the best possible intelligence relationship with India."

The Secretary of State said he was "excited" about the direction being taken by Mr Modi and his government.

"We want a new relationship. We want to see things move in a very positive way. We are excited about Mr Modi's direction. We are excited about what PM Modi wants to do for the people," Mr Kerry said.

US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker added, "One of the things that's most exciting is the attitude and tone that this new government."

The top US officials met with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley this morning and also toured the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.
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